Building management system with framework agnostic user interface description

ABSTRACT

A building management system (BMS) includes building equipment configured to provide raw data samples of a data point and a data collector configured to collect the raw data samples from the building equipment and generate a raw data timeseries including a plurality of the raw data samples. The BMS includes a timeseries service configured to generate one or more optimized data timeseries from the raw data timeseries and a timeseries database configured to store the raw data timeseries and the one or more optimized data timeseries. The BMS includes a dashboard layout generator configured to identify each timeseries associated with the data point and to generate a framework-agnostic dashboard layout description capable of being rendered by multiple different rendering frameworks to visualize each of the identified timeseries.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of building management systems. A building management system (BMS) is, in general, a system of devices configured to control, monitor, and manage equipment in or around a building or building area. A BMS can include, for example, a HVAC system, a security system, a lighting system, a fire alerting system, any other system that is capable of managing building functions or devices, or any combination thereof.

A BMS can collect data from sensors and other types of building equipment. Data can be collected over time and combined into streams of timeseries data. Each sample of the timeseries data can include a timestamp and a data value. Some BMSs store raw timeseries data in a relational database without significant organization or processing at the time of data collection. Applications that consume the timeseries data are typically responsible for retrieving the raw timeseries data from the database and generating views of the timeseries data that can be presented via a chart, graph, or other user interface. These processing steps are typically performed in response to a request for the timeseries data, which can significantly delay data presentation at query time.

SUMMARY

One implementation of the present disclosure is a building management system (BMS). The BMS includes building equipment, a data collector, a timeseries service, a timeseries database, and a dashboard layout generator. The building equipment are configured to provide raw data samples of a data point. The data collector is configured to collect the raw data samples from the building equipment and generate a raw data timeseries including a plurality of the raw data samples. The timeseries service is configured to generate one or more optimized data timeseries from the raw data timeseries. The timeseries database is configured to store a plurality of timeseries associated with the data point. The plurality of timeseries include the raw data timeseries and the one or more optimized data timeseries. The dashboard layout generator is configured to identify each of the timeseries associated with the data point and to generate a framework-agnostic dashboard layout description capable of being rendered by multiple different rendering frameworks to visualize each of the identified timeseries.

In some embodiments, the timeseries service includes a sample aggregator configured to automatically generate a data rollup timeseries including a plurality of aggregated data samples by aggregating the raw data samples as the raw data samples are collected from the building equipment. The sample aggregator can store the data rollup timeseries in the timeseries database as one of the optimized data timeseries.

In some embodiments, the timeseries service includes a virtual point calculator configured to create a virtual data point representing a non-measured variable, calculate data values for a plurality of samples of the virtual data point as a function of the raw data samples, generate a virtual point timeseries including the plurality of samples of the virtual data point, and store the virtual point timeseries in the timeseries database as one of the optimized data timeseries.

In some embodiments, the timeseries service includes a scalable rules engine configured to detect faults by applying fault detection rules to at least one of the raw data timeseries and the optimized data timeseries and generate a fault detection timeseries including a plurality of fault detection data samples. Each of the fault detection data samples can include a timestamp and a data value indicating whether a fault is detected at the timestamp. The scalable rules engine can store the fault detection timeseries in the timeseries database as one of the optimized data timeseries.

In some embodiments, the dashboard layout generator is configured to generate the framework-agnostic dashboard layout description by defining the dashboard layout as a grid including multiple intersecting rows and columns, identifying an intersection of the multiple rows and columns as a widget location, and generating widget properties that define a widget at the identified widget location. The widget properties can identify one or more of the plurality of timeseries.

In some embodiments, the dashboard layout generator is configured to generate the framework-agnostic dashboard layout description by defining the dashboard layout as an array of objects including one or more row objects and one or more column objects, specifying a location of a widget object within the array, and storing widget properties within the widget object. The widget properties can identify one or more of the plurality of timeseries.

In some embodiments, the one or more column objects are nested within the one or more row objects and each of the column objects includes a widget object nested within the column object. In other embodiments, the one or more row objects are nested within the one or more column objects and each of the row objects includes a widget object nested within the row object.

In some embodiments, the widget properties identify an application program interface that drives the widget. In some embodiments, the widget properties identify a location of each of the plurality of timeseries in the timeseries database.

In some embodiments, the dashboard layout description includes a plurality of top level properties that apply to an entirety of the dashboard layout. The top level properties can include at least one of a name of the dashboard layout, an indication of whether the dashboard layout is collapsible, an indication of whether the dashboard layout is maximizable, and an indication of whether the dashboard layout is editable.

Another implementation of the present disclosure is a building management system (BMS). The BMS includes a timeseries database configured to store multiple timeseries associated with a data point. Each of the timeseries includes a plurality of data samples. The BMS further includes a dashboard layout generator configured to access the timeseries database to identify each of the timeseries associated with the data point. The dashboard layout generator is configured to generate a framework-agnostic dashboard layout description capable of being rendered by multiple different rendering frameworks to visualize each of the identified timeseries.

In some embodiments, the multiple timeseries stored in the timeseries database include a raw data timeseries having a plurality of raw data samples and one or more optimized data timeseries generated by processing the raw data timeseries.

In some embodiments, the BMS includes a sample aggregator configured to automatically generate a data rollup timeseries including a plurality of aggregated data samples by aggregating the raw data samples as the raw data samples are collected. The sample aggregator can store the data rollup timeseries in the timeseries database as one of the optimized data timeseries.

In some embodiments, the BMS includes a virtual point calculator configured to create a virtual data point representing a non-measured variable, calculate data values for a plurality of samples of the virtual data point as a function of the raw data samples, generate a virtual point timeseries including the plurality of samples of the virtual data point, and store the virtual point timeseries in the timeseries database as one of the optimized data timeseries.

In some embodiments, the BMS includes a scalable rules engine configured to detect faults by applying fault detection rules to at least one of the raw data timeseries and the optimized data timeseries and generate a fault detection timeseries comprising a plurality of fault detection data samples. Each of the fault detection data samples can include a timestamp and a data value indicating whether a fault is detected at the timestamp. The scalable rules engine can store the fault detection timeseries in the timeseries database as one of the optimized data timeseries.

In some embodiments, the dashboard layout generator is configured to generate the framework-agnostic dashboard layout description by defining the dashboard layout as an array of objects including one or more row objects and one or more column objects, specifying a location of a widget object within the array, and storing widget properties within the widget object. The widget properties can identify one or more of the multiple timeseries.

In some embodiments, the one or more column objects are nested within the one or more row objects and each of the column objects includes a widget object nested within the column object. In other embodiments, the one or more row objects are nested within the one or more column objects and each of the row objects includes a widget object nested within the row object.

In some embodiments, the widget properties identify at least one of an application program interface that drives the widget and a location of each of the multiple timeseries in the timeseries database.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes described herein, as defined solely by the claims, will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a building equipped with a building management system (BMS) and a HVAC system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a waterside system which can be used as part of the HVAC system of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an airside system which can be used as part of the HVAC system of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a BMS which can be used in the building of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of another BMS which can be used in the building of FIG. 1. The BMS is shown to include a data collector, data platform services, applications, and a dashboard layout generator, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a timeseries service and an analytics service which can be implemented as some of the data platform services shown in FIG. 5, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7A is a block diagram illustrating an aggregation technique which can be used by the sample aggregator shown in FIG. 6 to aggregate raw data samples, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7B is a data table which can be used to store raw data timeseries and a variety of optimized data timeseries which can be generated by the timeseries service of FIG. 6, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a drawing of several timeseries illustrating the synchronization of data samples which can be performed by the data aggregator shown in FIG. 6, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9A is a flow diagram illustrating the creation and storage of a fault detection timeseries which can be performed by the job manager shown in FIG. 6, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9B is a data table which can be used to store the raw data timeseries and the fault detection timeseries, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9C is a flow diagram illustrating how various timeseries can be generated, stored, and used by the data platform services of FIG. 5, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10A is an entity graph illustrating relationships between an organization, a space, a system, a point, and a timeseries, which can be used by the data collector of FIG. 5, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10B is an example of an entity graph for a particular building management system according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is an object relationship diagram illustrating relationships between an entity template, a point, a timeseries, and a data sample, which can be used by the data collector of FIG. 5 and the timeseries service of FIG. 6, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the dashboard layout generator of FIG. 5, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a grid illustrating dashboard layout description which can be generated by the dashboard layout generator of FIG. 5, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 14 is an example of object code describing a dashboard layout which can be generated by the dashboard layout generator of FIG. 5, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 15 is a user interface illustrating a dashboard layout which can be generated from the dashboard layout description of FIG. 14, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 16 is another example of object code describing another dashboard layout which can be generated by the dashboard layout generator of FIG. 5, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 17 is a user interface illustrating a dashboard layout which can be generated from the dashboard layout description of FIG. 16, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

Referring generally to the FIGURES, a building management system (BMS) with virtual data points, optimized data integration, and a framework-agnostic dashboard layout is shown, according to various embodiments. The BMS is configured to collect data samples from building equipment (e.g., sensors, controllable devices, building subsystems, etc.) and generate raw timeseries data from the data samples. The BMS can process the raw timeseries data using a variety of data platform services to generate optimized timeseries data (e.g., data rollup timeseries, virtual point timeseries, fault detection timeseries, etc.). The optimized timeseries data can be provided to various applications and/or stored in local or hosted storage. In some embodiments, the BMS includes three different layers that separate (1) data collection, (2) data storage, retrieval, and analysis, and (3) data visualization. This allows the BMS to support a variety of applications that use the optimized timeseries data and allows new applications to reuse the infrastructure provided by the data platform services.

In some embodiments, the BMS includes a data collector configured to collect raw data samples from the building equipment. The data collector can generate a raw data timeseries including a plurality of the raw data samples and store the raw data timeseries in the timeseries database. In some embodiments, the data collector stores each of the raw data samples with a timestamp. The timestamp can include a local time indicating the time at which the raw data sample was collected in whichever time zone the raw data sample was collected. The timestamp can also include a time offset indicating a difference between the local time and universal time. The combination of the local timestamp and the offset provides a unique timestamp across daylight saving time boundaries. This allows an application using the timeseries data to display the timeseries data in local time without first converting from universal time. The combination of the local timestamp and the offset also provides enough information to convert the local timestamp to universal time without needing to look up a schedule of when daylight savings time occurs.

In some embodiments, the data platform services include a sample aggregator. The sample aggregator can aggregate predefined intervals of the raw timeseries data (e.g., quarter-hourly intervals, hourly intervals, daily intervals, monthly intervals, etc.) to generate new optimized timeseries of the aggregated values. These optimized timeseries can be referred to as “data rollups” since they are condensed versions of the raw timeseries data. The data rollups generated by the data aggregator provide an efficient mechanism for various applications to query the timeseries data. For example, the applications can construct visualizations of the timeseries data (e.g., charts, graphs, etc.) using the pre-aggregated data rollups instead of the raw timeseries data. This allows the applications to simply retrieve and present the pre-aggregated data rollups without requiring applications to perform an aggregation in response to the query. Since the data rollups are pre-aggregated, the applications can present the data rollups quickly and efficiently without requiring additional processing at query time to generate aggregated timeseries values.

In some embodiments, the data platform services include a virtual point calculator. The virtual point calculator can calculate virtual points based on the raw timeseries data and/or the optimized timeseries data. Virtual points can be calculated by applying any of a variety of mathematical operations (e.g., addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc.) or functions (e.g., average value, maximum value, minimum value, thermodynamic functions, linear functions, nonlinear functions, etc.) to the actual data points represented by the timeseries data. For example, the virtual point calculator can calculate a virtual data point (pointID₃) by adding two or more actual data points (pointID₁ and pointID₂) (e.g., pointID₃=pointID₁+pointID₂). As another example, the virtual point calculator can calculate an enthalpy data point (pointID₄) based on a measured temperature data point (pointID₅) and a measured pressure data point (pointID₆) (e.g., pointID₄=enthalpy (pointID₅, pointID₆)). The virtual data points can be stored as optimized timeseries data.

Applications can access and use the virtual data points in the same manner as the actual data points. The applications do not need to know whether a data point is an actual data point or a virtual data point since both types of data points can be stored as optimized timeseries data and can be handled in the same manner by the applications. In some embodiments, the optimized timeseries data are stored with attributes designating each data point as either a virtual data point or an actual data point. Such attributes allow the applications to identify whether a given timeseries represents a virtual data point or an actual data point, even though both types of data points can be handled in the same manner by the applications.

In some embodiments, the data platform services include a scalable rules engine and/or an analytics service configured to analyze the timeseries data to detect faults. Fault detection can be performed by applying a set of fault detection rules to the timeseries data to determine whether a fault is detected at each interval of the timeseries. Fault detections can be stored as optimized timeseries data. For example, new timeseries can be generated with data values that indicate whether a fault was detected at each interval of the timeseries. The time series of fault detections can be stored along with the raw timeseries data and/or optimized timeseries data in local or hosted data storage.

In some embodiments, the BMS includes a dashboard layout generator. The dashboard layout generator is configured to generate a layout for a user interface (i.e., a dashboard) visualizing the timeseries data. In some embodiments, the dashboard layout is not itself a user interface, but rather a description which can be used by applications to generate the user interface. In some embodiments, the dashboard layout is a schema that defines the relative locations of various widgets (e.g., charts, graphs, etc.) which can be rendered and displayed as part of the user interface. The dashboard layout can be read by a variety of different frameworks and can be used by a variety of different rendering engines (e.g., a web browser, a pdf engine, etc.) or applications to generate the user interface.

In some embodiments, the dashboard layout defines a grid having one or more rows and one or more columns located within each row. The dashboard layout can define the location of each widget at a particular location within the grid. The dashboard layout can define an array of objects (e.g., JSON objects), each of which is itself an array. In some embodiments, the dashboard layout defines attributes or properties of each widget. For example, the dashboard layout can define the type of widget (e.g., graph, plain text, image, etc.). If the widget is a graph, the dashboard layout can define additional properties such as graph title, x-axis title, y-axis title, and the timeseries data used in the graph. These and other features of the building management system are described in greater detail below.

Building Management System and HVAC System

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, an exemplary building management system (BMS) and HVAC system in which the systems and methods of the present disclosure can be implemented are shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring particularly to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a building 10 is shown. Building 10 is served by a BMS. A BMS is, in general, a system of devices configured to control, monitor, and manage equipment in or around a building or building area. A BMS can include, for example, a HVAC system, a security system, a lighting system, a fire alerting system, any other system that is capable of managing building functions or devices, or any combination thereof.

The BMS that serves building 10 includes an HVAC system 100. HVAC system 100 can include a plurality of HVAC devices (e.g., heaters, chillers, air handling units, pumps, fans, thermal energy storage, etc.) configured to provide heating, cooling, ventilation, or other services for building 10. For example, HVAC system 100 is shown to include a waterside system 120 and an airside system 130. Waterside system 120 can provide a heated or chilled fluid to an air handling unit of airside system 130. Airside system 130 can use the heated or chilled fluid to heat or cool an airflow provided to building 10. An exemplary waterside system and airside system which can be used in HVAC system 100 are described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2-3.

HVAC system 100 is shown to include a chiller 102, a boiler 104, and a rooftop air handling unit (AHU) 106. Waterside system 120 can use boiler 104 and chiller 102 to heat or cool a working fluid (e.g., water, glycol, etc.) and can circulate the working fluid to AHU 106. In various embodiments, the HVAC devices of waterside system 120 can be located in or around building 10 (as shown in FIG. 1) or at an offsite location such as a central plant (e.g., a chiller plant, a steam plant, a heat plant, etc.). The working fluid can be heated in boiler 104 or cooled in chiller 102, depending on whether heating or cooling is required in building 10. Boiler 104 can add heat to the circulated fluid, for example, by burning a combustible material (e.g., natural gas) or using an electric heating element. Chiller 102 can place the circulated fluid in a heat exchange relationship with another fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) in a heat exchanger (e.g., an evaporator) to absorb heat from the circulated fluid. The working fluid from chiller 102 and/or boiler 104 can be transported to AHU 106 via piping 108.

AHU 106 can place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with an airflow passing through AHU 106 (e.g., via one or more stages of cooling coils and/or heating coils). The airflow can be, for example, outside air, return air from within building 10, or a combination of both. AHU 106 can transfer heat between the airflow and the working fluid to provide heating or cooling for the airflow. For example, AHU 106 can include one or more fans or blowers configured to pass the airflow over or through a heat exchanger containing the working fluid. The working fluid can then return to chiller 102 or boiler 104 via piping 110.

Airside system 130 can deliver the airflow supplied by AHU 106 (i.e., the supply airflow) to building 10 via air supply ducts 112 and can provide return air from building 10 to AHU 106 via air return ducts 114. In some embodiments, airside system 130 includes multiple variable air volume (VAV) units 116. For example, airside system 130 is shown to include a separate VAV unit 116 on each floor or zone of building 10. VAV units 116 can include dampers or other flow control elements that can be operated to control an amount of the supply airflow provided to individual zones of building 10. In other embodiments, airside system 130 delivers the supply airflow into one or more zones of building 10 (e.g., via supply ducts 112) without using intermediate VAV units 116 or other flow control elements. AHU 106 can include various sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc.) configured to measure attributes of the supply airflow. AHU 106 can receive input from sensors located within AHU 106 and/or within the building zone and can adjust the flow rate, temperature, or other attributes of the supply airflow through AHU 106 to achieve setpoint conditions for the building zone.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a waterside system 200 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, waterside system 200 can supplement or replace waterside system 120 in HVAC system 100 or can be implemented separate from HVAC system 100. When implemented in HVAC system 100, waterside system 200 can include a subset of the HVAC devices in HVAC system 100 (e.g., boiler 104, chiller 102, pumps, valves, etc.) and can operate to supply a heated or chilled fluid to AHU 106. The HVAC devices of waterside system 200 can be located within building 10 (e.g., as components of waterside system 120) or at an offsite location such as a central plant.

In FIG. 2, waterside system 200 is shown as a central plant having a plurality of subplants 202-212. Subplants 202-212 are shown to include a heater subplant 202, a heat recovery chiller subplant 204, a chiller subplant 206, a cooling tower subplant 208, a hot thermal energy storage (TES) subplant 210, and a cold thermal energy storage (TES) subplant 212. Subplants 202-212 consume resources (e.g., water, natural gas, electricity, etc.) from utilities to serve the thermal energy loads (e.g., hot water, cold water, heating, cooling, etc.) of a building or campus. For example, heater subplant 202 can be configured to heat water in a hot water loop 214 that circulates the hot water between heater subplant 202 and building 10. Chiller subplant 206 can be configured to chill water in a cold water loop 216 that circulates the cold water between chiller subplant 206 building 10. Heat recovery chiller subplant 204 can be configured to transfer heat from cold water loop 216 to hot water loop 214 to provide additional heating for the hot water and additional cooling for the cold water. Condenser water loop 218 can absorb heat from the cold water in chiller subplant 206 and reject the absorbed heat in cooling tower subplant 208 or transfer the absorbed heat to hot water loop 214. Hot TES subplant 210 and cold TES subplant 212 can store hot and cold thermal energy, respectively, for subsequent use.

Hot water loop 214 and cold water loop 216 can deliver the heated and/or chilled water to air handlers located on the rooftop of building 10 (e.g., AHU 106) or to individual floors or zones of building 10 (e.g., VAV units 116). The air handlers push air past heat exchangers (e.g., heating coils or cooling coils) through which the water flows to provide heating or cooling for the air. The heated or cooled air can be delivered to individual zones of building 10 to serve the thermal energy loads of building 10. The water then returns to subplants 202-212 to receive further heating or cooling.

Although subplants 202-212 are shown and described as heating and cooling water for circulation to a building, it is understood that any other type of working fluid (e.g., glycol, CO2, etc.) can be used in place of or in addition to water to serve the thermal energy loads. In other embodiments, subplants 202-212 can provide heating and/or cooling directly to the building or campus without requiring an intermediate heat transfer fluid. These and other variations to waterside system 200 are within the teachings of the present invention.

Each of subplants 202-212 can include a variety of equipment configured to facilitate the functions of the subplant. For example, heater subplant 202 is shown to include a plurality of heating elements 220 (e.g., boilers, electric heaters, etc.) configured to add heat to the hot water in hot water loop 214. Heater subplant 202 is also shown to include several pumps 222 and 224 configured to circulate the hot water in hot water loop 214 and to control the flow rate of the hot water through individual heating elements 220. Chiller subplant 206 is shown to include a plurality of chillers 232 configured to remove heat from the cold water in cold water loop 216. Chiller subplant 206 is also shown to include several pumps 234 and 236 configured to circulate the cold water in cold water loop 216 and to control the flow rate of the cold water through individual chillers 232.

Heat recovery chiller subplant 204 is shown to include a plurality of heat recovery heat exchangers 226 (e.g., refrigeration circuits) configured to transfer heat from cold water loop 216 to hot water loop 214. Heat recovery chiller subplant 204 is also shown to include several pumps 228 and 230 configured to circulate the hot water and/or cold water through heat recovery heat exchangers 226 and to control the flow rate of the water through individual heat recovery heat exchangers 226. Cooling tower subplant 208 is shown to include a plurality of cooling towers 238 configured to remove heat from the condenser water in condenser water loop 218. Cooling tower subplant 208 is also shown to include several pumps 240 configured to circulate the condenser water in condenser water loop 218 and to control the flow rate of the condenser water through individual cooling towers 238.

Hot TES subplant 210 is shown to include a hot TES tank 242 configured to store the hot water for later use. Hot TES subplant 210 can also include one or more pumps or valves configured to control the flow rate of the hot water into or out of hot TES tank 242. Cold TES subplant 212 is shown to include cold TES tanks 244 configured to store the cold water for later use. Cold TES subplant 212 can also include one or more pumps or valves configured to control the flow rate of the cold water into or out of cold TES tanks 244.

In some embodiments, one or more of the pumps in waterside system 200 (e.g., pumps 222, 224, 228, 230, 234, 236, and/or 240) or pipelines in waterside system 200 include an isolation valve associated therewith. Isolation valves can be integrated with the pumps or positioned upstream or downstream of the pumps to control the fluid flows in waterside system 200. In various embodiments, waterside system 200 can include more, fewer, or different types of devices and/or subplants based on the particular configuration of waterside system 200 and the types of loads served by waterside system 200.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of an airside system 300 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, airside system 300 can supplement or replace airside system 130 in HVAC system 100 or can be implemented separate from HVAC system 100. When implemented in HVAC system 100, airside system 300 can include a subset of the HVAC devices in HVAC system 100 (e.g., AHU 106, VAV units 116, ducts 112-114, fans, dampers, etc.) and can be located in or around building 10. Airside system 300 can operate to heat or cool an airflow provided to building 10 using a heated or chilled fluid provided by waterside system 200.

In FIG. 3, airside system 300 is shown to include an economizer-type air handling unit (AHU) 302. Economizer-type AHUs vary the amount of outside air and return air used by the air handling unit for heating or cooling. For example, AHU 302 can receive return air 304 from building zone 306 via return air duct 308 and can deliver supply air 310 to building zone 306 via supply air duct 312. In some embodiments, AHU 302 is a rooftop unit located on the roof of building 10 (e.g., AHU 106 as shown in FIG. 1) or otherwise positioned to receive both return air 304 and outside air 314. AHU 302 can be configured to operate exhaust air damper 316, mixing damper 318, and outside air damper 320 to control an amount of outside air 314 and return air 304 that combine to form supply air 310. Any return air 304 that does not pass through mixing damper 318 can be exhausted from AHU 302 through exhaust damper 316 as exhaust air 322.

Each of dampers 316-320 can be operated by an actuator. For example, exhaust air damper 316 can be operated by actuator 324, mixing damper 318 can be operated by actuator 326, and outside air damper 320 can be operated by actuator 328. Actuators 324-328 can communicate with an AHU controller 330 via a communications link 332. Actuators 324-328 can receive control signals from AHU controller 330 and can provide feedback signals to AHU controller 330. Feedback signals can include, for example, an indication of a current actuator or damper position, an amount of torque or force exerted by the actuator, diagnostic information (e.g., results of diagnostic tests performed by actuators 324-328), status information, commissioning information, configuration settings, calibration data, and/or other types of information or data that can be collected, stored, or used by actuators 324-328. AHU controller 330 can be an economizer controller configured to use one or more control algorithms (e.g., state-based algorithms, extremum seeking control (ESC) algorithms, proportional-integral (PI) control algorithms, proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithms, model predictive control (MPC) algorithms, feedback control algorithms, etc.) to control actuators 324-328.

Still referring to FIG. 3, AHU 302 is shown to include a cooling coil 334, a heating coil 336, and a fan 338 positioned within supply air duct 312. Fan 338 can be configured to force supply air 310 through cooling coil 334 and/or heating coil 336 and provide supply air 310 to building zone 306. AHU controller 330 can communicate with fan 338 via communications link 340 to control a flow rate of supply air 310. In some embodiments, AHU controller 330 controls an amount of heating or cooling applied to supply air 310 by modulating a speed of fan 338.

Cooling coil 334 can receive a chilled fluid from waterside system 200 (e.g., from cold water loop 216) via piping 342 and can return the chilled fluid to waterside system 200 via piping 344. Valve 346 can be positioned along piping 342 or piping 344 to control a flow rate of the chilled fluid through cooling coil 334. In some embodiments, cooling coil 334 includes multiple stages of cooling coils that can be independently activated and deactivated (e.g., by AHU controller 330, by BMS controller 366, etc.) to modulate an amount of cooling applied to supply air 310.

Heating coil 336 can receive a heated fluid from waterside system 200 (e.g., from hot water loop 214) via piping 348 and can return the heated fluid to waterside system 200 via piping 350. Valve 352 can be positioned along piping 348 or piping 350 to control a flow rate of the heated fluid through heating coil 336. In some embodiments, heating coil 336 includes multiple stages of heating coils that can be independently activated and deactivated (e.g., by AHU controller 330, by BMS controller 366, etc.) to modulate an amount of heating applied to supply air 310.

Each of valves 346 and 352 can be controlled by an actuator. For example, valve 346 can be controlled by actuator 354 and valve 352 can be controlled by actuator 356. Actuators 354-356 can communicate with AHU controller 330 via communications links 358-360. Actuators 354-356 can receive control signals from AHU controller 330 and can provide feedback signals to controller 330. In some embodiments, AHU controller 330 receives a measurement of the supply air temperature from a temperature sensor 362 positioned in supply air duct 312 (e.g., downstream of cooling coil 334 and/or heating coil 336). AHU controller 330 can also receive a measurement of the temperature of building zone 306 from a temperature sensor 364 located in building zone 306.

In some embodiments, AHU controller 330 operates valves 346 and 352 via actuators 354-356 to modulate an amount of heating or cooling provided to supply air 310 (e.g., to achieve a setpoint temperature for supply air 310 or to maintain the temperature of supply air 310 within a setpoint temperature range). The positions of valves 346 and 352 affect the amount of heating or cooling provided to supply air 310 by cooling coil 334 or heating coil 336 and may correlate with the amount of energy consumed to achieve a desired supply air temperature. AHU controller 330 can control the temperature of supply air 310 and/or building zone 306 by activating or deactivating coils 334-336, adjusting a speed of fan 338, or a combination of both.

Still referring to FIG. 3, airside system 300 is shown to include a building management system (BMS) controller 366 and a client device 368. BMS controller 366 can include one or more computer systems (e.g., servers, supervisory controllers, subsystem controllers, etc.) that serve as system level controllers, application or data servers, head nodes, or master controllers for airside system 300, waterside system 200, HVAC system 100, and/or other controllable systems that serve building 10. BMS controller 366 can communicate with multiple downstream building systems or subsystems (e.g., HVAC system 100, a security system, a lighting system, waterside system 200, etc.) via a communications link 370 according to like or disparate protocols (e.g., LON, BACnet, etc.). In various embodiments, AHU controller 330 and BMS controller 366 can be separate (as shown in FIG. 3) or integrated. In an integrated implementation, AHU controller 330 can be a software module configured for execution by a processor of BMS controller 366.

In some embodiments, AHU controller 330 receives information from BMS controller 366 (e.g., commands, setpoints, operating boundaries, etc.) and provides information to BMS controller 366 (e.g., temperature measurements, valve or actuator positions, operating statuses, diagnostics, etc.). For example, AHU controller 330 can provide BMS controller 366 with temperature measurements from temperature sensors 362-364, equipment on/off states, equipment operating capacities, and/or any other information that can be used by BMS controller 366 to monitor or control a variable state or condition within building zone 306.

Client device 368 can include one or more human-machine interfaces or client interfaces (e.g., graphical user interfaces, reporting interfaces, text-based computer interfaces, client-facing web services, web servers that provide pages to web clients, etc.) for controlling, viewing, or otherwise interacting with HVAC system 100, its subsystems, and/or devices. Client device 368 can be a computer workstation, a client terminal, a remote or local interface, or any other type of user interface device. Client device 368 can be a stationary terminal or a mobile device. For example, client device 368 can be a desktop computer, a computer server with a user interface, a laptop computer, a tablet, a smartphone, a PDA, or any other type of mobile or non-mobile device. Client device 368 can communicate with BMS controller 366 and/or AHU controller 330 via communications link 372.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagram of a building management system (BMS) 400 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. BMS 400 can be implemented in building 10 to automatically monitor and control various building functions. BMS 400 is shown to include BMS controller 366 and a plurality of building subsystems 428. Building subsystems 428 are shown to include a building electrical subsystem 434, an information communication technology (ICT) subsystem 436, a security subsystem 438, a HVAC subsystem 440, a lighting subsystem 442, a lift/escalators subsystem 432, and a fire safety subsystem 430. In various embodiments, building subsystems 428 can include fewer, additional, or alternative subsystems. For example, building subsystems 428 can also or alternatively include a refrigeration subsystem, an advertising or signage subsystem, a cooking subsystem, a vending subsystem, a printer or copy service subsystem, or any other type of building subsystem that uses controllable equipment and/or sensors to monitor or control building 10. In some embodiments, building subsystems 428 include waterside system 200 and/or airside system 300, as described with reference to FIGS. 2-3.

Each of building subsystems 428 can include any number of devices, controllers, and connections for completing its individual functions and control activities. HVAC subsystem 440 can include many of the same components as HVAC system 100, as described with reference to FIGS. 1-3. For example, HVAC subsystem 440 can include a chiller, a boiler, any number of air handling units, economizers, field controllers, supervisory controllers, actuators, temperature sensors, and other devices for controlling the temperature, humidity, airflow, or other variable conditions within building 10. Lighting subsystem 442 can include any number of light fixtures, ballasts, lighting sensors, dimmers, or other devices configured to controllably adjust the amount of light provided to a building space. Security subsystem 438 can include occupancy sensors, video surveillance cameras, digital video recorders, video processing servers, intrusion detection devices, access control devices and servers, or other security-related devices.

Still referring to FIG. 4, BMS controller 366 is shown to include a communications interface 407 and a BMS interface 409. Interface 407 can facilitate communications between BMS controller 366 and external applications (e.g., monitoring and reporting applications 422, enterprise control applications 426, remote systems and applications 444, applications residing on client devices 448, etc.) for allowing user control, monitoring, and adjustment to BMS controller 366 and/or subsystems 428. Interface 407 can also facilitate communications between BMS controller 366 and client devices 448. BMS interface 409 can facilitate communications between BMS controller 366 and building subsystems 428 (e.g., HVAC, lighting security, lifts, power distribution, business, etc.).

Interfaces 407, 409 can be or include wired or wireless communications interfaces (e.g., jacks, antennas, transmitters, receivers, transceivers, wire terminals, etc.) for conducting data communications with building subsystems 428 or other external systems or devices. In various embodiments, communications via interfaces 407, 409 can be direct (e.g., local wired or wireless communications) or via a communications network 446 (e.g., a WAN, the Internet, a cellular network, etc.). For example, interfaces 407, 409 can include an Ethernet card and port for sending and receiving data via an Ethernet-based communications link or network. In another example, interfaces 407, 409 can include a WiFi transceiver for communicating via a wireless communications network. In another example, one or both of interfaces 407, 409 can include cellular or mobile phone communications transceivers. In one embodiment, communications interface 407 is a power line communications interface and BMS interface 409 is an Ethernet interface. In other embodiments, both communications interface 407 and BMS interface 409 are Ethernet interfaces or are the same Ethernet interface.

Still referring to FIG. 4, BMS controller 366 is shown to include a processing circuit 404 including a processor 406 and memory 408. Processing circuit 404 can be communicably connected to BMS interface 409 and/or communications interface 407 such that processing circuit 404 and the various components thereof can send and receive data via interfaces 407, 409. Processor 406 can be implemented as a general purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components.

Memory 408 (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device, etc.) can include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present application. Memory 408 can be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. Memory 408 can include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present application. According to an exemplary embodiment, memory 408 is communicably connected to processor 406 via processing circuit 404 and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by processing circuit 404 and/or processor 406) one or more processes described herein.

In some embodiments, BMS controller 366 is implemented within a single computer (e.g., one server, one housing, etc.). In various other embodiments BMS controller 366 can be distributed across multiple servers or computers (e.g., that can exist in distributed locations). Further, while FIG. 4 shows applications 422 and 426 as existing outside of BMS controller 366, in some embodiments, applications 422 and 426 can be hosted within BMS controller 366 (e.g., within memory 408).

Still referring to FIG. 4, memory 408 is shown to include an enterprise integration layer 410, an automated measurement and validation (AM&V) layer 412, a demand response (DR) layer 414, a fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) layer 416, an integrated control layer 418, and a building subsystem integration later 420. Layers 410-420 can be configured to receive inputs from building subsystems 428 and other data sources, determine optimal control actions for building subsystems 428 based on the inputs, generate control signals based on the optimal control actions, and provide the generated control signals to building subsystems 428. The following paragraphs describe some of the general functions performed by each of layers 410-420 in BMS 400.

Enterprise integration layer 410 can be configured to serve clients or local applications with information and services to support a variety of enterprise-level applications. For example, enterprise control applications 426 can be configured to provide subsystem-spanning control to a graphical user interface (GUI) or to any number of enterprise-level business applications (e.g., accounting systems, user identification systems, etc.). Enterprise control applications 426 can also or alternatively be configured to provide configuration GUIs for configuring BMS controller 366. In yet other embodiments, enterprise control applications 426 can work with layers 410-420 to optimize building performance (e.g., efficiency, energy use, comfort, or safety) based on inputs received at interface 407 and/or BMS interface 409.

Building subsystem integration layer 420 can be configured to manage communications between BMS controller 366 and building subsystems 428. For example, building subsystem integration layer 420 can receive sensor data and input signals from building subsystems 428 and provide output data and control signals to building subsystems 428. Building subsystem integration layer 420 can also be configured to manage communications between building subsystems 428. Building subsystem integration layer 420 translate communications (e.g., sensor data, input signals, output signals, etc.) across a plurality of multi-vendor/multi-protocol systems.

Demand response layer 414 can be configured to optimize resource usage (e.g., electricity use, natural gas use, water use, etc.) and/or the monetary cost of such resource usage in response to satisfy the demand of building 10. The optimization can be based on time-of-use prices, curtailment signals, energy availability, or other data received from utility providers, distributed energy generation systems 424, from energy storage 427 (e.g., hot TES 242, cold TES 244, etc.), or from other sources. Demand response layer 414 can receive inputs from other layers of BMS controller 366 (e.g., building subsystem integration layer 420, integrated control layer 418, etc.). The inputs received from other layers can include environmental or sensor inputs such as temperature, carbon dioxide levels, relative humidity levels, air quality sensor outputs, occupancy sensor outputs, room schedules, and the like. The inputs can also include inputs such as electrical use (e.g., expressed in kWh), thermal load measurements, pricing information, projected pricing, smoothed pricing, curtailment signals from utilities, and the like.

According to an exemplary embodiment, demand response layer 414 includes control logic for responding to the data and signals it receives. These responses can include communicating with the control algorithms in integrated control layer 418, changing control strategies, changing setpoints, or activating/deactivating building equipment or subsystems in a controlled manner. Demand response layer 414 can also include control logic configured to determine when to utilize stored energy. For example, demand response layer 414 can determine to begin using energy from energy storage 427 just prior to the beginning of a peak use hour.

In some embodiments, demand response layer 414 includes a control module configured to actively initiate control actions (e.g., automatically changing setpoints) which minimize energy costs based on one or more inputs representative of or based on demand (e.g., price, a curtailment signal, a demand level, etc.). In some embodiments, demand response layer 414 uses equipment models to determine an optimal set of control actions. The equipment models can include, for example, thermodynamic models describing the inputs, outputs, and/or functions performed by various sets of building equipment. Equipment models can represent collections of building equipment (e.g., subplants, chiller arrays, etc.) or individual devices (e.g., individual chillers, heaters, pumps, etc.).

Demand response layer 414 can further include or draw upon one or more demand response policy definitions (e.g., databases, XML files, etc.). The policy definitions can be edited or adjusted by a user (e.g., via a graphical user interface) so that the control actions initiated in response to demand inputs can be tailored for the user's application, desired comfort level, particular building equipment, or based on other concerns. For example, the demand response policy definitions can specify which equipment can be turned on or off in response to particular demand inputs, how long a system or piece of equipment should be turned off, what setpoints can be changed, what the allowable set point adjustment range is, how long to hold a high demand setpoint before returning to a normally scheduled setpoint, how close to approach capacity limits, which equipment modes to utilize, the energy transfer rates (e.g., the maximum rate, an alarm rate, other rate boundary information, etc.) into and out of energy storage devices (e.g., thermal storage tanks, battery banks, etc.), and when to dispatch on-site generation of energy (e.g., via fuel cells, a motor generator set, etc.).

Integrated control layer 418 can be configured to use the data input or output of building subsystem integration layer 420 and/or demand response later 414 to make control decisions. Due to the subsystem integration provided by building subsystem integration layer 420, integrated control layer 418 can integrate control activities of the subsystems 428 such that the subsystems 428 behave as a single integrated supersystem. In an exemplary embodiment, integrated control layer 418 includes control logic that uses inputs and outputs from a plurality of building subsystems to provide greater comfort and energy savings relative to the comfort and energy savings that separate subsystems could provide alone. For example, integrated control layer 418 can be configured to use an input from a first subsystem to make an energy-saving control decision for a second subsystem. Results of these decisions can be communicated back to building subsystem integration layer 420.

Integrated control layer 418 is shown to be logically below demand response layer 414. Integrated control layer 418 can be configured to enhance the effectiveness of demand response layer 414 by enabling building subsystems 428 and their respective control loops to be controlled in coordination with demand response layer 414. This configuration may advantageously reduce disruptive demand response behavior relative to conventional systems. For example, integrated control layer 418 can be configured to assure that a demand response-driven upward adjustment to the setpoint for chilled water temperature (or another component that directly or indirectly affects temperature) does not result in an increase in fan energy (or other energy used to cool a space) that would result in greater total building energy use than was saved at the chiller.

Integrated control layer 418 can be configured to provide feedback to demand response layer 414 so that demand response layer 414 checks that constraints (e.g., temperature, lighting levels, etc.) are properly maintained even while demanded load shedding is in progress. The constraints can also include setpoint or sensed boundaries relating to safety, equipment operating limits and performance, comfort, fire codes, electrical codes, energy codes, and the like. Integrated control layer 418 is also logically below fault detection and diagnostics layer 416 and automated measurement and validation layer 412. Integrated control layer 418 can be configured to provide calculated inputs (e.g., aggregations) to these higher levels based on outputs from more than one building subsystem.

Automated measurement and validation (AM&V) layer 412 can be configured to verify that control strategies commanded by integrated control layer 418 or demand response layer 414 are working properly (e.g., using data aggregated by AM&V layer 412, integrated control layer 418, building subsystem integration layer 420, FDD layer 416, or otherwise). The calculations made by AM&V layer 412 can be based on building system energy models and/or equipment models for individual BMS devices or subsystems. For example, AM&V layer 412 can compare a model-predicted output with an actual output from building subsystems 428 to determine an accuracy of the model.

Fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) layer 416 can be configured to provide on-going fault detection for building subsystems 428, building subsystem devices (i.e., building equipment), and control algorithms used by demand response layer 414 and integrated control layer 418. FDD layer 416 can receive data inputs from integrated control layer 418, directly from one or more building subsystems or devices, or from another data source. FDD layer 416 can automatically diagnose and respond to detected faults. The responses to detected or diagnosed faults can include providing an alert message to a user, a maintenance scheduling system, or a control algorithm configured to attempt to repair the fault or to work-around the fault.

FDD layer 416 can be configured to output a specific identification of the faulty component or cause of the fault (e.g., loose damper linkage) using detailed subsystem inputs available at building subsystem integration layer 420. In other exemplary embodiments, FDD layer 416 is configured to provide “fault” events to integrated control layer 418 which executes control strategies and policies in response to the received fault events. According to an exemplary embodiment, FDD layer 416 (or a policy executed by an integrated control engine or business rules engine) can shut-down systems or direct control activities around faulty devices or systems to reduce energy waste, extend equipment life, or assure proper control response.

FDD layer 416 can be configured to store or access a variety of different system data stores (or data points for live data). FDD layer 416 can use some content of the data stores to identify faults at the equipment level (e.g., specific chiller, specific AHU, specific terminal unit, etc.) and other content to identify faults at component or subsystem levels. For example, building subsystems 428 can generate temporal (i.e., time-series) data indicating the performance of BMS 400 and the various components thereof. The data generated by building subsystems 428 can include measured or calculated values that exhibit statistical characteristics and provide information about how the corresponding system or process (e.g., a temperature control process, a flow control process, etc.) is performing in terms of error from its setpoint. These processes can be examined by FDD layer 416 to expose when the system begins to degrade in performance and alert a user to repair the fault before it becomes more severe.

Building Management System with Data Platform Services

Referring now to FIG. 5, a block diagram of another building management system (BMS) 500 is shown, according to some embodiments. BMS 500 is configured to collect data samples from building subsystems 428 and generate raw timeseries data from the data samples. BMS 500 can process the raw timeseries data using a variety of data platform services 520 to generate optimized timeseries data (e.g., data rollups). The optimized timeseries data can be provided to various applications 530 and/or stored in local storage 514 or hosted storage 516. In some embodiments, BMS 500 separates data collection; data storage, retrieval, and analysis; and data visualization into three different layers. This allows BMS 500 to support a variety of applications 530 that use the optimized timeseries data and allows new applications 530 to reuse the existing infrastructure provided by data platform services 520.

Before discussing BMS 500 in greater detail, it should be noted that the components of BMS 500 can be integrated within a single device (e.g., a supervisory controller, a BMS controller, etc.) or distributed across multiple separate systems or devices. For example, the components of BMS 500 can be implemented as part of a METASYS® brand building automation system, as sold by Johnson Controls Inc. In other embodiments, some or all of the components of BMS 500 can be implemented as part of a cloud-based computing system configured to receive and process data from one or more building management systems. In other embodiments, some or all of the components of BMS 500 can be components of a subsystem level controller (e.g., a HVAC controller), a subplant controller, a device controller (e.g., AHU controller 330, a chiller controller, etc.), a field controller, a computer workstation, a client device, or any other system or device that receives and processes data from building equipment.

BMS 500 can include many of the same components as BMS 400, as described with reference to FIG. 4. For example, BMS 500 is shown to include a BMS interface 502 and a communications interface 504. Interfaces 502-504 can include wired or wireless communications interfaces (e.g., jacks, antennas, transmitters, receivers, transceivers, wire terminals, etc.) for conducting data communications with building subsystems 428 or other external systems or devices. Communications conducted via interfaces 502-504 can be direct (e.g., local wired or wireless communications) or via a communications network 446 (e.g., a WAN, the Internet, a cellular network, etc.).

Communications interface 504 can facilitate communications between BMS 500 and external applications (e.g., remote systems and applications 444) for allowing user control, monitoring, and adjustment to BMS 500. Communications interface 504 can also facilitate communications between BMS 500 and client devices 448. BMS interface 502 can facilitate communications between BMS 500 and building subsystems 428. BMS 500 can be configured to communicate with building subsystems 428 using any of a variety of building automation systems protocols (e.g., BACnet, Modbus, ADX, etc.). In some embodiments, BMS 500 receives data samples from building subsystems 428 and provides control signals to building subsystems 428 via BMS interface 502.

Building subsystems 428 can include building electrical subsystem 434, information communication technology (ICT) subsystem 436, security subsystem 438, HVAC subsystem 440, lighting subsystem 442, lift/escalators subsystem 432, and/or fire safety subsystem 430, as described with reference to FIG. 4. In various embodiments, building subsystems 428 can include fewer, additional, or alternative subsystems. For example, building subsystems 428 can also or alternatively include a refrigeration subsystem, an advertising or signage subsystem, a cooking subsystem, a vending subsystem, a printer or copy service subsystem, or any other type of building subsystem that uses controllable equipment and/or sensors to monitor or control building 10. In some embodiments, building subsystems 428 include waterside system 200 and/or airside system 300, as described with reference to FIGS. 2-3. Each of building subsystems 428 can include any number of devices, controllers, and connections for completing its individual functions and control activities. Building subsystems 428 can include building equipment (e.g., sensors, air handling units, chillers, pumps, valves, etc.) configured to monitor and control a building condition such as temperature, humidity, airflow, etc.

Still referring to FIG. 5, BMS 500 is shown to include a processing circuit 506 including a processor 508 and memory 510. Processor 508 can be a general purpose or specific purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable processing components. Processor 508 is configured to execute computer code or instructions stored in memory 510 or received from other computer readable media (e.g., CDROM, network storage, a remote server, etc.).

Memory 510 can include one or more devices (e.g., memory units, memory devices, storage devices, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing and/or facilitating the various processes described in the present disclosure. Memory 510 can include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive storage, temporary storage, non-volatile memory, flash memory, optical memory, or any other suitable memory for storing software objects and/or computer instructions. Memory 510 can include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. Memory 510 can be communicably connected to processor 508 via processing circuit 506 and can include computer code for executing (e.g., by processor 508) one or more processes described herein. When processor 508 executes instructions stored in memory 510, processor 508 generally configures processing circuit 506 to complete such activities.

Still referring to FIG. 5, BMS 500 is shown to include a data collector 512. Data collector 512 is shown receiving data samples from building subsystems 428 via BMS interface 502. In some embodiments, the data samples include data values for various data points. The data values can be measured or calculated values, depending on the type of data point. For example, a data point received from a temperature sensor can include a measured data value indicating a temperature measured by the temperature sensor. A data point received from a chiller controller can include a calculated data value indicating a calculated efficiency of the chiller. Data collector 512 can receive data samples from multiple different devices within building subsystems 428.

The data samples can include one or more attributes that describe or characterize the corresponding data points. For example, the data samples can include a name attribute defining a point name or ID (e.g., “B1F4R2.T-Z”), a device attribute indicating a type of device from which the data samples is received (e.g., temperature sensor, humidity sensor, chiller, etc.), a unit attribute defining a unit of measure associated with the data value (e.g., ° F., ° C., kPA, etc.), and/or any other attribute that describes the corresponding data point or provides contextual information regarding the data point. The types of attributes included in each data point can depend on the communications protocol used to send the data samples to BMS 500. For example, data samples received via the ADX protocol or BACnet protocol can include a variety of descriptive attributes along with the data value, whereas data samples received via the Modbus protocol may include a lesser number of attributes (e.g., only the data value without any corresponding attributes).

In some embodiments, each data sample is received with a timestamp indicating a time at which the corresponding data value was measured or calculated. In other embodiments, data collector 512 adds timestamps to the data samples based on the times at which the data samples are received. Data collector 512 can generate raw timeseries data for each of the data points for which data samples are received. Each timeseries can include a series of data values for the same data point and a timestamp for each of the data values. For example, a timeseries for a data point provided by a temperature sensor can include a series of temperature values measured by the temperature sensor and the corresponding times at which the temperature values were measured.

Data collector 512 can add timestamps to the data samples or modify existing timestamps such that each data sample includes a local timestamp. Each local timestamp indicates the local time at which the corresponding data sample was measured or collected and can include an offset relative to universal time. The local timestamp indicates the local time at the location the data point was measured at the time of measurement. The offset indicates the difference between the local time and a universal time (e.g., the time at the international date line). For example, a data sample collected in a time zone that is six hours behind universal time can include a local timestamp (e.g., Timestamp=2016-03-18T14:10:02) and an offset indicating that the local timestamp is six hours behind universal time (e.g., Offset=−6:00). The offset can be adjusted (e.g., +1:00 or −1:00) depending on whether the time zone is in daylight savings time when the data sample is measured or collected.

The combination of the local timestamp and the offset provides a unique timestamp across daylight saving time boundaries. This allows an application using the timeseries data to display the timeseries data in local time without first converting from universal time. The combination of the local timestamp and the offset also provides enough information to convert the local timestamp to universal time without needing to look up a schedule of when daylight savings time occurs. For example, the offset can be subtracted from the local timestamp to generate a universal time value that corresponds to the local timestamp without referencing an external database and without requiring any other information.

In some embodiments, data collector 512 organizes the raw timeseries data. Data collector 512 can identify a system or device associated with each of the data points. For example, data collector 512 can associate a data point with a temperature sensor, an air handler, a chiller, or any other type of system or device. In various embodiments, data collector uses the name of the data point, a range of values of the data point, statistical characteristics of the data point, or other attributes of the data point to identify a particular system or device associated with the data point. Data collector 512 can then determine how that system or device relates to the other systems or devices in the building site. For example, data collector 512 can determine that the identified system or device is part of a larger system (e.g., a HVAC system) or serves a particular space (e.g., a particular building, a room or zone of the building, etc.). In some embodiments, data collector 512 uses or creates an entity graph when organizing the timeseries data. An example of such an entity graph is described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 10A.

Data collector 512 can provide the raw timeseries data to data platform services 520 and/or store the raw timeseries data in local storage 514 or hosted storage 516. As shown in FIG. 5, local storage 514 can be data storage internal to BMS 500 (e.g., within memory 510) or other on-site data storage local to the building site at which the data samples are collected. Hosted storage 516 can include a remote database, cloud-based data hosting, or other remote data storage. For example, hosted storage 516 can include remote data storage located off-site relative to the building site at which the data samples are collected.

Still referring to FIG. 5, BMS 500 is shown to include data platform services 520. Data platform services 520 can receive the raw timeseries data from data collector 512 and/or retrieve the raw timeseries data from local storage 514 or hosted storage 516. Data platform services 520 can include a variety of services configured to analyze and process the raw timeseries data. For example, data platform services 520 are shown to include a security service 522, an analytics service 524, an entity service 526, and a timeseries service 528. Security service 522 can assign security attributes to the raw timeseries data to ensure that the timeseries data are only accessible to authorized individuals, systems, or applications. Entity service 524 can assign entity information to the timeseries data to associate data points with a particular system, device, or space. Timeseries service 528 and analytics service 524 can generate new optimized timeseries from the raw timeseries data.

In some embodiments, timeseries service 528 aggregates predefined intervals of the raw timeseries data (e.g., quarter-hourly intervals, hourly intervals, daily intervals, monthly intervals, etc.) to generate new optimized timeseries of the aggregated values. These optimized timeseries can be referred to as “data rollups” since they are condensed versions of the raw timeseries data. The data rollups generated by timeseries service 528 provide an efficient mechanism for applications 530 to query the timeseries data. For example, applications 530 can construct visualizations of the timeseries data (e.g., charts, graphs, etc.) using the pre-aggregated data rollups instead of the raw timeseries data. This allows applications 530 to simply retrieve and present the pre-aggregated data rollups without requiring applications 530 to perform an aggregation in response to the query. Since the data rollups are pre-aggregated, applications 530 can present the data rollups quickly and efficiently without requiring additional processing at query time to generate aggregated timeseries values.

In some embodiments, timeseries service 528 calculates virtual points based on the raw timeseries data and/or the optimized timeseries data. Virtual points can be calculated by applying any of a variety of mathematical operations (e.g., addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc.) or functions (e.g., average value, maximum value, minimum value, thermodynamic functions, linear functions, nonlinear functions, etc.) to the actual data points represented by the timeseries data. For example, timeseries service 528 can calculate a virtual data point (pointID₃) by adding two or more actual data points (pointID₁ and pointID₂) (e.g., pointID₃=pointID₁+pointID₂). As another example, timeseries service 528 can calculate an enthalpy data point (pointID₄) based on a measured temperature data point (pointID₅) and a measured pressure data point (pointID₆) (e.g., pointID₄=enthalpy (pointID₅, pointID₆)). The virtual data points can be stored as optimized timeseries data.

Applications 530 can access and use the virtual data points in the same manner as the actual data points. Applications 530 do not need to know whether a data point is an actual data point or a virtual data point since both types of data points can be stored as optimized timeseries data and can be handled in the same manner by applications 530. In some embodiments, the optimized timeseries data are stored with attributes designating each data point as either a virtual data point or an actual data point. Such attributes allow applications 530 to identify whether a given timeseries represents a virtual data point or an actual data point, even though both types of data points can be handled in the same manner by applications 530.

In some embodiments, analytics service 524 analyzes the raw timeseries data and/or the optimized timeseries data to detect faults. Analytics service 524 can apply a set of fault detection rules to the timeseries data to determine whether a fault is detected at each interval of the timeseries. Fault detections can be stored as optimized timeseries data. For example, analytics service 524 can generate a new timeseries with data values that indicate whether a fault was detected at each interval of the timeseries. The time series of fault detections can be stored along with the raw timeseries data and/or optimized timeseries data in local storage 514 or hosted storage 516. These and other features of analytics service 524 and timeseries service 528 are described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 6.

Still referring to FIG. 5, BMS 500 is shown to include several applications 530 including an energy management application 532, monitoring and reporting applications 534, and enterprise control applications 536. Although only a few applications 530 are shown, it is contemplated that applications 530 can include any of a variety of applications configured to use the optimized timeseries data generated by data platform services 520. In some embodiments, applications 530 exist as a separate layer of BMS 500 (i.e., separate from data platform services 520 and data collector 512). This allows applications 530 to be isolated from the details of how the optimized timeseries data are generated. In other embodiments, applications 530 can exist as remote applications that run on remote systems or devices (e.g., remote systems and applications 544, client devices 448).

Applications 530 can use the optimized timeseries data to perform a variety data visualization, monitoring, and/or control activities. For example, energy management application 532 and monitoring and reporting application 534 can use the optimized timeseries data to generate user interfaces (e.g., charts, graphs, etc.) that present the optimized timeseries data to a user. In some embodiments, the user interfaces present the raw timeseries data and the optimized data rollups in a single chart or graph. For example, a dropdown selector can be provided to allow a user to select the raw timeseries data or any of the data rollups for a given data point. Several examples of user interfaces that can be generated based on the optimized timeseries data are shown in FIGS. 15 and 17.

Enterprise control application 536 can use the optimized timeseries data to perform various control activities. For example, enterprise control application 536 can use the optimized timeseries data as input to a control algorithm (e.g., a state-based algorithm, an extremum seeking control (ESC) algorithm, a proportional-integral (PI) control algorithm, a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithm, a model predictive control (MPC) algorithm, a feedback control algorithm, etc.) to generate control signals for building subsystems 428. In some embodiments, building subsystems 428 use the control signals to operate building equipment. Operating the building equipment can affect the measured or calculated values of the data samples provided to BMS 500. Accordingly, enterprise control application 536 can use the optimized timeseries data as feedback to control the systems and devices of building subsystems 428.

Still referring to FIG. 5, BMS 500 is shown to include a dashboard layout generator 518. Dashboard layout generator 518 is configured to generate a layout for a user interface (i.e., a dashboard) visualizing the timeseries data. In some embodiments, the dashboard layout is not itself a user interface, but rather a description which can be used by applications 530 to generate the user interface. In some embodiments, the dashboard layout is a schema that defines the relative locations of various widgets (e.g., charts, graphs, etc.) which can be rendered and displayed as part of the user interface. The dashboard layout can be read by a variety of different frameworks and can be used by a variety of different rendering engines (e.g., a web browser, a pdf engine, etc.) or applications 530 to generate the user interface.

In some embodiments, the dashboard layout defines a grid having one or more rows and one or more columns located within each row. The dashboard layout can define the location of each widget at a particular location within the grid. The dashboard layout can define an array of objects (e.g., JSON objects), each of which is itself an array. In some embodiments, the dashboard layout defines attributes or properties of each widget. For example, the dashboard layout can define the type of widget (e.g., graph, plain text, image, etc.). If the widget is a graph, the dashboard layout can define additional properties such as graph title, x-axis title, y-axis title, and the timeseries data used in the graph. Dashboard layout generator 518 and the dashboard layouts are described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 12-17.

Timeseries and Analytics Data Platform Services

Referring now to FIG. 6, a block diagram illustrating timeseries service 528 and analytics service 524 in greater detail is shown, according to some embodiments. Timeseries service 528 is shown to include a timeseries web service 602, a job manager 604, and a timeseries storage interface 616. Timeseries web service 602 is configured to interact with web-based applications to send and/or receive timeseries data. In some embodiments, timeseries web service 602 provides timeseries data to web-based applications. For example, if one or more of applications 530 are web-based applications, timeseries web service 602 can provide optimized timeseries data and raw timeseries data to the web-based applications. In some embodiments, timeseries web service 602 receives raw timeseries data from a web-based data collector. For example, if data collector 512 is a web-based application, timeseries web service 602 can receive data samples or raw timeseries data from data collector 512.

Timeseries storage interface 616 is configured to interact with local storage 514 and/or hosted storage 516. For example, timeseries storage interface 616 can retrieve raw timeseries data from a local timeseries database 628 within local storage 514 or from a hosted timeseries database 636 within hosted storage 516. Timeseries storage interface 616 can also store optimized timeseries data in local timeseries database 628 or hosted timeseries database 636. In some embodiments, timeseries storage interface 616 is configured to retrieve jobs from a local job queue 630 within local storage 514 or from a hosted job queue 638 within hosted storage 516. Timeseries storage interface 616 can also store jobs within local job queue 630 or hosted job queue 638. Jobs can be created and/or processed by job manager 604 to generate optimized timeseries data from the raw timeseries data.

Still referring to FIG. 6, job manager 604 is shown to include a sample aggregator 608. Sample aggregator 608 is configured to generate optimized data rollups from the raw timeseries data. For each data point, sample aggregator 608 can aggregate a set of data values having timestamps within a predetermined time interval (e.g., a quarter-hour, an hour, a day, etc.) to generate an aggregate data value for the predetermined time interval. For example, the raw timeseries data for a particular data point may have a relatively short interval (e.g., one minute) between consecutive samples of the data point. Sample aggregator 608 can generate a data rollup from the raw timeseries data by aggregating all of the samples of the data point having timestamps within a relatively longer interval (e.g., a quarter-hour) into a single aggregated value that represents the longer interval.

For some types of timeseries, sample aggregator 608 performs the aggregation by averaging all of the samples of the data point having timestamps within the longer interval. Aggregation by averaging can be used to calculate aggregate values for timeseries of non-cumulative variables such as measured value. For other types of timeseries, sample aggregator 608 performs the aggregation by summing all of the samples of the data point having timestamps within the longer interval. Aggregation by summation can be used to calculate aggregate values for timeseries of cumulative variables such as the number of faults detected since the previous sample.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7B, a block diagram 700 and a data table 750 illustrating an aggregation technique which can be used by sample aggregator 608 is shown, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 7A, a data point 702 is shown. Data point 702 is an example of a measured data point for which timeseries values can be obtained. For example, data point 702 is shown as an outdoor air temperature point and has values which can be measured by a temperature sensor. Although a specific type of data point 702 is shown in FIG. 7A, it should be understood that data point 702 can be any type of measured or calculated data point. Timeseries values of data point 702 can be collected by data collector 512 and assembled into a raw data timeseries 704.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the raw data timeseries 704 includes a timeseries of data samples, each of which is shown as a separate row in data table 750. Each sample of raw data timeseries 704 is shown to include a timestamp and a data value. The timestamps of raw data timeseries 704 are ten minutes and one second apart, indicating that the sampling interval of raw data timeseries 704 is ten minutes and one second. For example, the timestamp of the first data sample is shown as 2015-12-31T23:10:00 indicating that the first data sample of raw data timeseries 704 was collected at 11:10:00 PM on Dec. 31, 2015. The timestamp of the second data sample is shown as 2015-12-31T23:20:01 indicating that the second data sample of raw data timeseries 704 was collected at 11:20:01 PM on Dec. 31, 2015. In some embodiments, the timestamps of raw data timeseries 704 are stored along with an offset relative to universal time, as previously described. The values of raw data timeseries 704 start at a value of 10 and increase by 10 with each sample. For example, the value of the second sample of raw data timeseries 704 is 20, the value of the third sample of raw data timeseries 704 is 30, etc.

In FIG. 7A, several data rollup timeseries 706-714 are shown. Data rollup timeseries 706-714 can be generated by sample aggregator 608 and stored as optimized timeseries data. The data rollup timeseries 706-714 include an average quarter-hour timeseries 706, an average hourly timeseries 708, an average daily timeseries 710, an average monthly timeseries 712, and an average yearly timeseries 714. Each of the data rollup timeseries 706-714 is dependent upon a parent timeseries. In some embodiments, the parent timeseries for each of the data rollup timeseries 706-714 is the timeseries with the next shortest duration between consecutive timeseries values. For example, the parent timeseries for average quarter-hour timeseries 706 is raw data timeseries 704. Similarly, the parent timeseries for average hourly timeseries 708 is average quarter-hour timeseries 706; the parent timeseries for average daily timeseries 710 is average hourly timeseries 708; the parent timeseries for average monthly timeseries 712 is average daily timeseries 710; and the parent timeseries for average yearly timeseries 714 is average monthly timeseries 712.

Sample aggregator 608 can generate each of the data rollup timeseries 706-714 from the timeseries values of the corresponding parent timeseries. For example, sample aggregator 608 can generate average quarter-hour timeseries 706 by aggregating all of the samples of data point 702 in raw data timeseries 704 that have timestamps within each quarter-hour. Similarly, sample aggregator 608 can generate average hourly timeseries 708 by aggregating all of the timeseries values of average quarter-hour timeseries 708 that have timestamps within each hour. Sample aggregator 608 can generate average daily timeseries 710 by aggregating all of the time series values of average hourly timeseries 708 that have timestamps within each day. Sample aggregator 608 can generate average monthly timeseries 712 by aggregating all of the time series values of average daily timeseries 710 that have timestamps within each month. Sample aggregator 608 can generate average yearly timeseries 714 by aggregating all of the time series values of average monthly timeseries 712 that have timestamps within each year.

In some embodiments, the timestamps for each sample in the data rollup timeseries 706-714 are the beginnings of the aggregation interval used to calculate the value of the sample. For example, the first data sample of average quarter-hour timeseries 706 is shown to include the timestamp 2015-12-31T23:00:00. This timestamp indicates that the first data sample of average quarter-hour timeseries 706 corresponds to an aggregation interval that begins at 11:00:00 PM on Dec. 31, 2015. Since only one data sample of raw data timeseries 704 occurs during this interval, the value of the first data sample of average quarter-hour timeseries 706 is the average of a single data value (i.e., average(10)=10). The same is true for the second data sample of average quarter-hour timeseries 706 (i.e., average(20)=20).

The third data sample of average quarter-hour timeseries 706 is shown to include the timestamp 2015-12-31T23:30:00. This timestamp indicates that the third data sample of average quarter-hour timeseries 706 corresponds to an aggregation interval that begins at 11:30:00 PM on Dec. 31, 2015. Since each aggregation interval of average quarter-hour timeseries 706 is a quarter-hour in duration, the end of the aggregation interval is 11:45:00 PM on Dec. 31, 2015. This aggregation interval includes two data samples of raw data timeseries 704 (i.e., the third raw data sample having a value of 30 and the fourth raw data sample having a value of 40). Sample aggregator 608 can calculate the value of the third sample of average quarter-hour timeseries 706 by averaging the values of the third raw data sample and the fourth raw data sample (i.e., average(30, 40)=35). Accordingly, the third sample of average quarter-hour timeseries 706 has a value of 35. Sample aggregator 608 can calculate the remaining values of average quarter-hour timeseries 706 in a similar manner.

Still referring to FIG. 7B, the first data sample of average hourly timeseries 708 is shown to include the timestamp 2015-12-31T23:00:00. This timestamp indicates that the first data sample of average hourly timeseries 708 corresponds to an aggregation interval that begins at 11:00:00 PM on Dec. 31, 2015. Since each aggregation interval of average hourly timeseries 708 is an hour in duration, the end of the aggregation interval is 12:00:00 AM on Jan. 1, 2016. This aggregation interval includes the first four samples of average quarter-hour timeseries 706. Sample aggregator 608 can calculate the value of the first sample of average hourly timeseries 708 by averaging the values of the first four values of average quarter-hour timeseries 706 (i.e., average(10, 20, 35, 50)=28.8). Accordingly, the first sample of average hourly timeseries 708 has a value of 28.8. Sample aggregator 608 can calculate the remaining values of average hourly timeseries 708 in a similar manner.

The first data sample of average daily timeseries 710 is shown to include the timestamp 2015-12-31T00:00:00. This timestamp indicates that the first data sample of average daily timeseries 710 corresponds to an aggregation interval that begins at 12:00:00 AM on Dec. 31, 2015. Since each aggregation interval of the average daily timeseries 710 is a day in duration, the end of the aggregation interval is 12:00:00 AM on Jan. 1, 2016. Only one data sample of average hourly timeseries 708 occurs during this interval. Accordingly, the value of the first data sample of average daily timeseries 710 is the average of a single data value (i.e., average(28.8)=28.8). The same is true for the second data sample of average daily timeseries 710 (i.e., average(87.5)=87.5).

In some embodiments, sample aggregator 608 stores each of the data rollup timeseries 706-714 in a single data table (e.g., data table 750) along with raw data timeseries 704. This allows applications 630 to retrieve all of the timeseries 704-714 quickly and efficiently by accessing a single data table. In other embodiments, sample aggregator 608 can store the various timeseries 704-714 in separate data tables which can be stored in the same data storage device (e.g., the same database) or distributed across multiple data storage devices. In some embodiments, sample aggregator 608 stores data timeseries 704-714 in a format other than a data table. For example, sample aggregator 608 can store timeseries 704-714 as vectors, as a matrix, as a list, or using any of a variety of other data storage formats.

In some embodiments, sample aggregator 608 automatically updates the data rollup timeseries 706-714 each time a new raw data sample is received. Updating the data rollup timeseries 706-714 can include recalculating the aggregated values based on the value and timestamp of the new raw data sample. When a new raw data sample is received, sample aggregator 608 can determine whether the timestamp of the new raw data sample is within any of the aggregation intervals for the samples of the data rollup timeseries 706-714. For example, if a new raw data sample is received with a timestamp of 2016-01-01T00:52:00, sample aggregator 608 can determine that the new raw data sample occurs within the aggregation interval beginning at timestamp 2016-01-01T00:45:00 for average quarter-hour timeseries 706. Sample aggregator 608 can use the value of the new raw data point (e.g., value=120) to update the aggregated value of the final data sample of average quarter-hour timeseries 706 (i.e., average(110, 120)=115).

If the new raw data sample has a timestamp that does not occur within any of the previous aggregation intervals, sample aggregator 608 can create a new data sample in average quarter-hour timeseries 706. The new data sample in average quarter-hour timeseries 706 can have a new data timestamp defining the beginning of an aggregation interval that includes the timestamp of the new raw data sample. For example, if the new raw data sample has a timestamp of 2016-01-01T01:00:11, sample aggregator 608 can determine that the new raw data sample does not occur within any of the aggregation intervals previously established for average quarter-hour timeseries 706. Sample aggregator 608 can generate a new data sample in average quarter-hour timeseries 706 with the timestamp 2016-01-01T01:00:00 and can calculate the value of the new data sample in average quarter-hour timeseries 706 based on the value of the new raw data sample, as previously described.

Sample aggregator 608 can update the values of the remaining data rollup timeseries 708-714 in a similar manner. For example, sample aggregator 608 determine whether the timestamp of the updated data sample in average quarter-hour timeseries is within any of the aggregation intervals for the samples of average hourly timeseries 708. Sample aggregator 608 can determine that the timestamp 2016-01-01T00:45:00 occurs within the aggregation interval beginning at timestamp 2016-01-01T00:00:00 for average hourly timeseries 708. Sample aggregator 608 can use the updated value of the final data sample of average quarter-hour timeseries 706 (e.g., value=115) to update the value of the second sample of average hourly timeseries 708 (i.e., average(65, 80, 95, 115)=88.75). Sample aggregator 608 can use the updated value of the final data sample of average hourly timeseries 708 to update the final sample of average daily timeseries 710 using the same technique.

In some embodiments, sample aggregator 608 updates the aggregated data values of data rollup timeseries 706-714 each time a new raw data sample is received. Updating each time a new raw data sample is received ensures that the data rollup timeseries 706-714 always reflect the most recent data samples. In other embodiments, sample aggregator 608 updates the aggregated data values of data rollup timeseries 706-714 periodically at predetermined update intervals (e.g., hourly, daily, etc.) using a batch update technique. Updating periodically can be more efficient and require less data processing than updating each time a new data sample is received, but can result in aggregated data values that are not always updated to reflect the most recent data samples.

In some embodiments, sample aggregator 608 is configured to cleanse raw data timeseries 704. Cleansing raw data timeseries 704 can include discarding exceptionally high or low data. For example, sample aggregator 608 can identify a minimum expected data value and a maximum expected data value for raw data timeseries 704. Sample aggregator 608 can discard data values outside this range as bad data. In some embodiments, the minimum and maximum expected values are based on attributes of the data point represented by the timeseries. For example, data point 702 represents a measured outdoor air temperature and therefore has an expected value within a range of reasonable outdoor air temperature values for a given geographic location (e.g., between −20° F. and 110° F.). Sample aggregator 608 can discard a data value of 330 for data point 702 since a temperature value of 330° F. is not reasonable for a measured outdoor air temperature.

In some embodiments, sample aggregator 608 identifies a maximum rate at which a data point can change between consecutive data samples. The maximum rate of change can be based on physical principles (e.g., heat transfer principles), weather patterns, or other parameters that limit the maximum rate of change of a particular data point. For example, data point 702 represents a measured outdoor air temperature and therefore can be constrained to have a rate of change less than a maximum reasonable rate of change for outdoor temperature (e.g., five degrees per minute). If two consecutive data samples of the raw data timeseries 704 have values that would require the outdoor air temperature to change at a rate in excess of the maximum expected rate of change, sample aggregator 608 can discard one or both of the data samples as bad data.

Sample aggregator 608 can perform any of a variety of data cleansing operations to identify and discard bad data samples. Several examples of data cleansing operations which can be performed by sample aggregator 608 are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/631,301 titled “Systems and Methods for Data Quality Control and Cleansing” and filed Sep. 28, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. In some embodiments, sample aggregator 608 performs the data cleansing operations for raw data timeseries 704 before generating the data rollup timeseries 706-714. This ensures that raw data timeseries 704 used to generate data rollup timeseries 706-714 does not include any bad data samples. Accordingly, the data rollup timeseries 706-714 do not need to be re-cleansed after the aggregation is performed.

Referring again to FIG. 6, job manager 604 is shown to include a virtual point calculator 610. Virtual point calculator 610 is configured to create virtual data points and calculate timeseries values for the virtual data points. A virtual data point is a type of calculated data point derived from one or more actual data points. In some embodiments, actual data points are measured data points, whereas virtual data points are calculated data points. Virtual data points can be used as substitutes for actual sensor data when the sensor data desired for a particular application does not exist, but can be calculated from one or more actual data points. For example, a virtual data point representing the enthalpy of a refrigerant can be calculated using actual data points measuring the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant. Virtual data points can also be used to provide timeseries values for calculated quantities such as efficiency, coefficient of performance, and other variables that cannot be directly measured.

Virtual point calculator 610 can calculate virtual data points by applying any of a variety of mathematical operations or functions to actual data points or other virtual data points. For example, virtual point calculator 610 can calculate a virtual data point (pointID₃) by adding two or more actual data points (pointID₁ and pointID₂) (e.g., pointID₃=pointID₁+pointID₂). As another example, virtual point calculator 610 can calculate an enthalpy data point (pointID₄) based on a measured temperature data point (pointID₅) and a measured pressure data point (pointID₆) (e.g., pointID₄=enthalpy (pointID₅, pointID₆)). In some instances, a virtual data point can be derived from a single actual data point. For example, virtual point calculator 610 can calculate a saturation temperature (pointID₇) of a known refrigerant based on a measured refrigerant pressure (pointID₈) (e.g., pointID₇=T_(sat) (pointID₈)). In general, virtual point calculator 610 can calculate the timeseries values of a virtual data point using the timeseries values of one or more actual data points and/or the timeseries values of one or more other virtual data points.

In some embodiments, virtual point calculator 610 uses a set of virtual point rules to calculate the virtual data points. The virtual point rules can define one or more input data points (e.g., actual or virtual data points) and the mathematical operations that should be applied to the input data point(s) to calculate each virtual data point. The virtual point rules can be provided by a user, received from an external system or device, and/or stored in memory 510. Virtual point calculator 610 can apply the set of virtual point rules to the timeseries values of the input data points to calculate timeseries values for the virtual data points. The timeseries values for the virtual data points can be stored as optimized timeseries data in local timeseries database 628 and/or hosted timeseries database 636.

Virtual point calculator 610 can calculate virtual data points using the values of raw data timeseries 704 and/or the aggregated values of the data rollup timeseries 706-714. In some embodiments, the input data points used to calculate a virtual data point are collected at different sampling times and/or sampling rates. Accordingly, the samples of the input data points may not be synchronized with each other, which can lead to ambiguity in which samples of the input data points should be used to calculate the virtual data point. Using the data rollup timeseries 706-714 to calculate the virtual data points ensures that the timestamps of the input data points are synchronized and eliminates any ambiguity in which data samples should be used.

Referring now to FIG. 8, several timeseries 800, 820, 840, and 860 illustrating the synchronization of data samples resulting from aggregating the raw timeseries data are shown, according to some embodiments. Timeseries 800 and 820 are raw data timeseries. Raw data timeseries 800 has several raw data samples 802-810. Raw data sample 802 is collected at time t₁; raw data sample 804 is collected at time t₂; raw data sample 806 is collected at time t₃; raw data sample 808 is collected at time t₄; raw data sample 810 is collected at time t₅; and raw data sample 812 is collected at time t₆.

Raw data timeseries 820 also has several raw data samples 822, 824, 826, 828, and 830. However, raw data samples, 822-830 are not synchronized with raw data samples 802-812. For example, raw data sample 822 is collected before time t₁; raw data sample 824 is collected between times t₂ and t₃; raw data sample 826 is collected between times t₃ and t₄; raw data sample 828 is collected between times t₄ and t₅; and raw data sample 830 is collected between times t₅ and t₆. The lack of synchronization between data samples 802-812 and raw data samples 822-830 can lead to ambiguity in which of the data samples should be used together to calculate a virtual data point.

Timeseries 840 and 860 are data rollup timeseries. Data rollup timeseries 840 can be generated by sample aggregator 608 by aggregating raw data timeseries 800. Similarly, data rollup timeseries 860 can be generated by sample aggregator 608 by aggregating raw data timeseries 820. Both raw data timeseries 800 and 820 can be aggregated using the same aggregation interval. Accordingly, the resulting data rollup timeseries 840 and 860 have synchronized data samples. For example, aggregated data sample 842 is synchronized with aggregated data sample 862 at time t_(1′). Similarly, aggregated data sample 844 is synchronized with aggregated data sample 864 at time t_(2′); aggregated data sample 846 is synchronized with aggregated data sample 866 at time t_(3′); and aggregated data sample 848 is synchronized with aggregated data sample 868 at time t_(4′).

The synchronization of data samples in data rollup timeseries 840 and 860 allows virtual point calculator 610 to readily identify which of the data samples should be used together to calculate a virtual point. For example, virtual point calculator 610 can identify which of the samples of data rollup timeseries 840 and 860 have the same timestamp (e.g., data samples 842 and 862, data samples 844 and 864, etc.). Virtual point calculator 610 can use two or more aggregated data samples with the same timestamp to calculate a timeseries value of the virtual data point. In some embodiments, virtual point calculator 610 assigns the shared timestamp of the input data samples to the timeseries value of the virtual data point calculated from the input data samples.

Referring again to FIG. 6, job manager 604 is shown to include a weather point calculator 612. Weather point calculator 612 is configured to perform weather-based calculations using the timeseries data. In some embodiments, weather point calculator 612 creates virtual data points for weather-related variables such as cooling degree days (CDD), heating degree days (HDD), cooling energy days (CED), heating energy days (HED), and normalized energy consumption. The timeseries values of the virtual data points calculated by weather point calculator 612 can be stored as optimized timeseries data in local timeseries database 628 and/or hosted timeseries database 636.

Weather point calculator 612 can calculate CDD by integrating the positive temperature difference between the time-varying outdoor air temperature T_(OA) and the cooling balance point T_(bC) for the building as shown in the following equation: CDD=∫^(period)max{0,(T _(OA) −T _(bC))}dt where period is the integration period. In some embodiments, the outdoor air temperature T_(OA) is a measured data point, whereas the cooling balance point T_(bC) is a stored parameter. To calculate CDD for each sample of the outdoor air temperature T_(OA), weather point calculator 612 can multiply the quantity max{0,(T_(OA)−T_(bC))} by the sampling period Δt of the outdoor air temperature T_(OA). Weather point calculator 612 can calculate CED in a similar manner using outdoor air enthalpy E_(OA) instead of outdoor air temperature T_(OA). Outdoor air enthalpy E_(OA) can be a measured or virtual data point.

Weather point calculator 612 can calculate HDD by integrating the positive temperature difference between a heating balance point T_(bH) for the building and the time-varying outdoor air temperature T_(OA) as shown in the following equation: HDD=∫^(period) max{0,(T _(bH) −T _(OA))}dt where period is the integration period. In some embodiments, the outdoor air temperature T_(OA) is a measured data point, whereas the heating balance point T_(bH) is a stored parameter. To calculate HDD for each sample of the outdoor air temperature T_(OA), weather point calculator 612 can multiply the quantity max{0,(T_(bH)−T_(OA))} by the sampling period Δt of the outdoor air temperature T_(OA). Weather point calculator 612 can calculate HED in a similar manner using outdoor air enthalpy E_(OA) instead of outdoor air temperature T_(OA).

In some embodiments, both virtual point calculator 610 and weather point calculator 612 calculate timeseries values of virtual data points. Weather point calculator 612 can calculate timeseries values of virtual data points that depend on weather-related variables (e.g., outdoor air temperature, outdoor air enthalpy, outdoor air humidity, outdoor light intensity, precipitation, wind speed, etc.). Virtual point calculator 610 can calculate timeseries values of virtual data points that depend on other types of variables (e.g., non-weather-related variables). Although only a few weather-related variables are described in detail here, it is contemplated that weather point calculator 612 can calculate virtual data points for any weather-related variable. The weather-related data points used by weather point calculator 612 can be received as timeseries data from various weather sensors and/or from a weather service.

Still referring to FIG. 6, job manager 604 is shown to include a meter fault detector 614 and a scalable rules engine 606. Meter fault detector 614 and scalable rules engine 606 are configured to detect faults in timeseries data. In some embodiments, meter fault detector 614 performs fault detection for timeseries data representing meter data (e.g., measurements from a sensor), whereas scalable rules engine 606 performs fault detection for other types of timeseries data. Meter fault detector 614 and scalable rules engine 606 can detect faults in the raw timeseries data and/or the optimized timeseries data.

In some embodiments, meter fault detector 614 and scalable rules engine 606 receive fault detection rules 620 and/or reasons 622 from analytics service 618. Fault detection rules 620 can be defined by a user via a rules editor 624 or received from an external system or device via analytics web service 618. In various embodiments, fault detection rules 620 and reasons 622 can be stored in rules database 632 and reasons database 634 within local storage 514 and/or rules database 640 and reasons database 642 within hosted storage 516. Meter fault detector 614 and scalable rules engine 606 can retrieve fault detection rules 620 from local storage 514 or hosted storage and use fault detection rules 620 to analyze the timeseries data.

In some embodiments, fault detection rules 620 provide criteria that can be evaluated by meter fault detector 614 and scalable rules engine 606 to detect faults in the timeseries data. For example, fault detection rules 620 can define a fault as a data value above or below a threshold value. As another example, fault detection rules 620 can define a fault as a data value outside a predetermined range of values. The threshold value and predetermined range of values can be based on the type of timeseries data (e.g., meter data, calculated data, etc.), the type of variable represented by the timeseries data (e.g., temperature, humidity, energy consumption, etc.), the system or device that measures or provides the timeseries data (e.g., a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a chiller, etc.), and/or other attributes of the timeseries data.

Meter fault detector 614 and scalable rules engine 606 can apply the fault detection rules 620 to the timeseries data to determine whether each sample of the timeseries data qualifies as a fault. In some embodiments, meter fault detector 614 and scalable rules engine 606 generate a fault detection timeseries containing the results of the fault detection. The fault detection timeseries can include a set of timeseries values, each of which corresponds to a data sample of the timeseries data evaluated by meter fault detector 614 and scalable rules engine 606. In some embodiments, each timeseries value in the fault detection timeseries includes a timestamp and a fault detection value. The timestamp can be the same as the timestamp of the corresponding data sample of the data timeseries. The fault detection value can indicate whether the corresponding data sample of the data timeseries qualifies as a fault. For example, the fault detection value can have a value of “Fault” if a fault is detected and a value of “Not in Fault” if a fault is not detected in the corresponding data sample of the data timeseries. The fault detection timeseries can be stored in local timeseries database 628 and/or hosted timeseries database 636 along with the raw timeseries data and the optimized timeseries data.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9B, a block diagram and data table 900 illustrating the fault detection timeseries is shown, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 9A, job manager 604 is shown receiving a data timeseries 902 from local storage 514 or hosted storage 516. Data timeseries 902 can be a raw data timeseries or an optimized data timeseries. In some embodiments, data timeseries 902 is a timeseries of values of an actual data point (e.g., a measured temperature). In other embodiments, data timeseries 902 is a timeseries of values of a virtual data point (e.g., a calculated efficiency). As shown in chart 900, data timeseries 902 includes a set of data samples. Each data sample includes a timestamp and a value. Most of the data samples have values within the range of 65-66. However, three of the data samples have values of 42.

Job manager 604 can evaluate data timeseries 902 using a set of fault detection rules 620 to detect faults in data timeseries 902. In various embodiments, the fault detection can be performed by meter fault detector 614 (e.g., if data timeseries 902 is meter data) or by scalable rules engine 606 (e.g., if data timeseries 902 is non-meter data). In some embodiments, job manager 604 determines that the data samples having values of 42 qualify as faults according to the fault detection rules 620.

Job manager 604 can generate a fault detection timeseries 904 containing the results of the fault detection. As shown in chart 900, fault detection timeseries 904 includes a set of data samples. Like data timeseries 902, each data sample of fault detection timeseries 904 includes a timestamp and a value. Most of the values of fault detection timeseries 904 are shown as “Not in Fault,” indicating that no fault was detected for the corresponding sample of data timeseries 902 (i.e., the data sample with the same timestamp). However, three of the data samples in fault detection timeseries 904 have a value of “Fault,” indicating that the corresponding sample of data timeseries 902 qualifies as a fault. As shown in FIG. 9A, job manager 604 can store fault detection timeseries 904 in local storage 514 (e.g., in local timeseries database 628) and/or hosted storage 516 (e.g., in hosted timeseries database 636) along with the raw timeseries data and the optimized timeseries data.

Fault detection timeseries 904 can be used by BMS 500 to perform various fault detection, diagnostic, and/or control processes. In some embodiments, fault detection timeseries 904 is further processed by job manager 604 to generate new timeseries derived from fault detection timeseries 904. For example, sample aggregator 608 can use fault detection timeseries 904 to generate a fault duration timeseries. Sample aggregator 608 can aggregate multiple consecutive data samples of fault detection timeseries 904 having the same data value into a single data sample. For example, sample aggregator 608 can aggregate the first two “Not in Fault” data samples of fault detection timeseries 904 into a single data sample representing a time period during which no fault was detected. Similarly, sample aggregator 608 can aggregate the final two “Fault” data samples of fault detection timeseries 904 into a single data sample representing a time period during which a fault was detected.

In some embodiments, each data sample in the fault duration timeseries has a fault occurrence time and a fault duration. The fault occurrence time can be indicated by the timestamp of the data sample in the fault duration timeseries. Sample aggregator 608 can set the timestamp of each data sample in the fault duration timeseries equal to the timestamp of the first data sample in the series of data samples in fault detection timeseries 904 which were aggregated to form the aggregated data sample. For example, if sample aggregator 608 aggregates the first two “Not in Fault” data samples of fault detection timeseries 904, sample aggregator 608 can set the timestamp of the aggregated data sample to 2015-12-31T23:10:00. Similarly, if sample aggregator 608 aggregates the final two “Fault” data samples of fault detection timeseries 904, sample aggregator 608 can set the timestamp of the aggregated data sample to 2015-12-31T23:50:00.

The fault duration can be indicated by the value of the data sample in the fault duration timeseries. Sample aggregator 608 can set the value of each data sample in the fault duration timeseries equal to the duration spanned by the consecutive data samples in fault detection timeseries 904 which were aggregated to form the aggregated data sample. Sample aggregator 608 can calculate the duration spanned by multiple consecutive data samples by subtracting the timestamp of the first data sample of fault detection timeseries 904 included in the aggregation from the timestamp of the next data sample of fault detection timeseries 904 after the data samples included in the aggregation.

For example, if sample aggregator 608 aggregates the first two “Not in Fault” data samples of fault detection timeseries 904, sample aggregator 608 can calculate the duration of the aggregated data sample by subtracting the timestamp 2015-12-31T23:10:00 (i.e., the timestamp of the first “Not in Fault” sample) from the timestamp 2015-12-31T23:30:00 (i.e., the timestamp of the first “Fault” sample after the consecutive “Not in Fault” samples) for an aggregated duration of twenty minutes. Similarly, if sample aggregator 608 aggregates the final two “Fault” data samples of fault detection timeseries 904, sample aggregator 608 can calculate the duration of the aggregated data sample by subtracting the timestamp 2015-12-31T23:50:00 (i.e., the timestamp of the first “Fault” sample included in the aggregation) from the timestamp 2016-01-01T00:10:00 (i.e., the timestamp of the first “Not in Fault” sample after the consecutive “Fault” samples) for an aggregated duration of twenty minutes.

Referring now to FIG. 9C, a flow diagram illustrating how various timeseries can be generated, stored, and used in BMS 500 is shown, according to some embodiments. Data collector 512 is shown receiving data samples from building subsystems 428. In some embodiments, the data samples include data values for various data points. The data values can be measured or calculated values, depending on the type of data point. For example, a data point received from a temperature sensor can include a measured data value indicating a temperature measured by the temperature sensor. A data point received from a chiller controller can include a calculated data value indicating a calculated efficiency of the chiller. Data collector 512 can receive data samples from multiple different devices within building subsystems 428.

In some embodiments, each data sample is received with a timestamp indicating a time at which the corresponding data value was measured or calculated. In other embodiments, data collector 512 adds timestamps to the data samples based on the times at which the data samples are received. Data collector 512 can generate raw timeseries data for each of the data points for which data samples are received. Each timeseries can include a series of data values for the same data point and a timestamp for each of the data values. For example, a timeseries for a data point provided by a temperature sensor can include a series of temperature values measured by the temperature sensor and the corresponding times at which the temperature values were measured.

Data collector 512 can add timestamps to the data samples or modify existing timestamps such that each data sample includes a local timestamp. Each local timestamp indicates the local time at which the corresponding data sample was measured or collected and can include an offset relative to universal time. The local timestamp indicates the local time at the location the data point was measured at the time of measurement. The offset indicates the difference between the local time and a universal time (e.g., the time at the international date line). For example, a data sample collected in a time zone that is six hours behind universal time can include a local timestamp (e.g., Timestamp=2016-03-18T14:10:02) and an offset indicating that the local timestamp is six hours behind universal time (e.g., Offset=−6:00). The offset can be adjusted (e.g., +1:00 or −1:00) depending on whether the time zone is in daylight savings time when the data sample is measured or collected. Data collector 512 can provide the raw timeseries data to control applications 536, data cleanser 644, and/or store the raw timeseries data in timeseries storage 515 (i.e., local storage 514 and/or hosted storage 516).

Data cleanser 644 can retrieve the raw data timeseries from timeseries storage 515 and cleanse the raw data timeseries. Cleansing the raw data timeseries can include discarding exceptionally high or low data. For example, data cleanser 644 can identify a minimum expected data value and a maximum expected data value for the raw data timeseries. Data cleanser 644 can discard data values outside this range as bad data. In some embodiments, the minimum and maximum expected values are based on attributes of the data point represented by the timeseries. For example, an outdoor air temperature data point may have an expected value within a range of reasonable outdoor air temperature values for a given geographic location (e.g., between −20° F. and 110° F.).

In some embodiments, data cleanser 644 identifies a maximum rate at which a data point can change between consecutive data samples. The maximum rate of change can be based on physical principles (e.g., heat transfer principles), weather patterns, or other parameters that limit the maximum rate of change of a particular data point. For example, an outdoor air temperature data point can be constrained to have a rate of change less than a maximum reasonable rate of change for outdoor temperature (e.g., five degrees per minute). If two consecutive data samples of the raw data timeseries have values that would require the outdoor air temperature to change at a rate in excess of the maximum expected rate of change, data cleanser 644 can discard one or both of the data samples as bad data.

Data cleanser 644 can perform any of a variety of data cleansing operations to identify and discard bad data samples. Several examples of data cleansing operations which can be performed by data cleanser 644 are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/631,301 titled “Systems and Methods for Data Quality Control and Cleansing” and filed Sep. 28, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. In some embodiments, data cleanser 644 performs the data cleansing operations for the raw data timeseries before sample aggregator 608 generates the data rollup timeseries. This ensures that the raw data timeseries used to generate the data rollup timeseries does not include any bad data samples. Accordingly, the data rollup timeseries do not need to be re-cleansed after the aggregation is performed. Data cleanser 644 can provide the cleansed timeseries data to control applications 536, sample aggregator 608, and/or store the cleansed timeseries data in timeseries storage 515.

Sample aggregator 608 can retrieve any data timeseries from timeseries storage 515 (e.g., a raw data timeseries, a cleansed data timeseries, a data rollup timeseries, a fault detection timeseries, etc.) and generate data rollup timeseries based on the retrieved data timeseries. For each data point, sample aggregator 608 can aggregate a set of data values having timestamps within a predetermined time interval (e.g., a quarter-hour, an hour, a day, etc.) to generate an aggregate data value for the predetermined time interval. For example, the raw timeseries data for a particular data point may have a relatively short interval (e.g., one minute) between consecutive samples of the data point. Sample aggregator 608 can generate a data rollup from the raw timeseries data by aggregating all of the samples of the data point having timestamps within a relatively longer interval (e.g., a quarter-hour) into a single aggregated value that represents the longer interval.

For some types of timeseries, sample aggregator 608 performs the aggregation by averaging all of the samples of the data point having timestamps within the longer interval. Aggregation by averaging can be used to calculate aggregate values for timeseries of non-cumulative variables such as measured value. For other types of timeseries, sample aggregator 608 performs the aggregation by summing all of the samples of the data point having timestamps within the longer interval. Aggregation by summation can be used to calculate aggregate values for timeseries of cumulative variables such as the number of faults detected since the previous sample.

Sample aggregator 608 can generate any type of data rollup timeseries including, for example, an average quarter-hour timeseries, an average hourly timeseries, an average daily timeseries, an average monthly timeseries, and an average yearly timeseries, or any other type of data rollup timeseries as described with reference to FIGS. 6-8. Each of the data rollup timeseries may be dependent upon a parent timeseries. In some embodiments, sample aggregator 608 updates the aggregated data values of data rollup timeseries each time a new raw data sample is received and/or each time the parent timeseries is updated. Sample aggregator 608 can provide the data rollup timeseries to control applications 536, virtual point calculator 610, and/or store the data rollup timeseries in timeseries storage 515.

Virtual point calculator 610 can retrieve any timeseries from timeseries storage 515 and generate virtual point timeseries using the retrieved data timeseries. Virtual point calculator can create virtual data points and calculate timeseries values for the virtual data points. A virtual data point is a type of calculated data point derived from one or more actual data points. In some embodiments, actual data points are measured data points, whereas virtual data points are calculated data points. Virtual data points can be used as substitutes for actual sensor data when the sensor data desired for a particular application does not exist, but can be calculated from one or more actual data points. For example, a virtual data point representing the enthalpy of a refrigerant can be calculated using actual data points measuring the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant. Virtual data points can also be used to provide timeseries values for calculated quantities such as efficiency, coefficient of performance, and other variables that cannot be directly measured.

Virtual point calculator 610 can calculate virtual data points by applying any of a variety of mathematical operations or functions to actual data points and/or other virtual data points. For example, virtual point calculator 610 can calculate a virtual data point (pointID₃) by adding two or more actual data points (pointID₁ and pointID₂) (e.g., pointID₃=pointID₁+pointID₂). As another example, virtual point calculator 610 can calculate an enthalpy data point (pointID₄) based on a measured temperature data point (pointID₅) and a measured pressure data point (pointID₆) (e.g., pointID₄=enthalpy (pointID₅, pointID₆)).

In some instances, a virtual data point can be derived from a single actual data point. For example, virtual point calculator 610 can calculate a saturation temperature (pointID₇) of a known refrigerant based on a measured refrigerant pressure (pointID₈) (e.g., pointID₇=T_(sat)(pointID₈)). In general, virtual point calculator 610 can calculate the timeseries values of a virtual data point using the timeseries values of one or more actual data points and/or the timeseries values of one or more other virtual data points. In some embodiments, virtual point calculator 610 automatically updates the values of the virtual point timeseries whenever the source data used to calculate the virtual data points is updated. Virtual point calculator 610 can provide the virtual point timeseries to control applications 536, scalable rules engine 606, and/or store the virtual point timeseries in timeseries storage 515.

Scalable rules engine 606 can retrieve any timeseries from timeseries storage 515 and generate fault detection timeseries using the retrieved data timeseries. Scalable rules engine 606 can apply fault detection rules to the timeseries data to determine whether each sample of the timeseries data qualifies as a fault. In some embodiments, scalable rules engine 606 generates a fault detection timeseries containing the results of the fault detection, as described with reference to FIGS. 9A-9B. The fault detection timeseries can include a set of timeseries values, each of which corresponds to a data sample of the timeseries data evaluated by scalable rules engine 606.

In some embodiments, each timeseries value in the fault detection timeseries includes a timestamp and a fault detection value. The timestamp can be the same as the timestamp of the corresponding data sample of the data timeseries. The fault detection value can indicate whether the corresponding data sample of the data timeseries qualifies as a fault. For example, the fault detection value can have a value of “Fault” if a fault is detected and a value of “Not in Fault” if a fault is not detected in the corresponding data sample of the data timeseries. In some embodiments, scalable rules engine 606 uses the fault detection timeseries to generate derivative timeseries such as a fault duration timeseries, as described with reference to FIGS. 9A-9B. Scalable rules engine 606 can provide the fault detection timeseries to control applications 536 and/or store the fault detection timeseries in timeseries storage 515.

Each of the data platform services 520 (e.g., data cleanser 644, sample aggregator 608, virtual point calculator 610, scalable rules engine 606, etc.) can read any data timeseries from timeseries storage 515, generate new data timeseries (e.g., cleansed data timeseries, data rollup timeseries, virtual point timeseries, fault detection timeseries, etc.), and store the new data timeseries in timeseries storage 515. The new timeseries can be stored alongside the original timeseries upon which the new timeseries is based such that the original timeseries does not need to be updated. This allows multiple services to concurrently read the same data timeseries from timeseries storage 515 without requiring any service to lock the timeseries.

The timeseries stored in timeseries storage 515 can affect each other. For example, the values of one or more first data timeseries can affect the values of one or more second data timeseries based on the first data timeseries. The first and second data timeseries can be any of the raw data timeseries, cleansed data timeseries, data rollup timeseries, virtual point timeseries, fault detection timeseries, or any other timeseries generated by data platform services 520. When the first timeseries is/are updated, the second timeseries can be automatically updated by data platform services 520. Updates to the second timeseries can trigger automatic updates to one or more third data timeseries based on the second data timeseries. It is contemplated that any data timeseries can be based on any other data timeseries and can be automatically updated when the base data timeseries is updated.

In operation, a raw data timeseries can be written to timeseries storage 515 by data collector 512 as the data are collected or received from building subsystems 428. Subsequent processing by data cleanser 644, sample aggregator 608, virtual point calculator 610, and scalable rules engine 606 can occur in any order. For example, data cleanser 644 can cleanse the raw data timeseries, a data rollup timeseries, a virtual point timeseries, and/or a fault detection timeseries. Similarly, sample aggregator 608 can generate a data rollup timeseries using a raw data timeseries, a cleansed data timeseries, another data rollup timeseries, a virtual point timeseries, and/or a fault detection timeseries. Virtual point calculator 610 can generate a virtual point timeseries based on one or more raw data timeseries, cleansed data timeseries, data rollup timeseries, other virtual point timeseries, and/or fault detection timeseries. Scalable rules engine 606 can generate a fault detection timeseries using one or more raw data timeseries, cleansed data timeseries, data rollup timeseries, virtual point timeseries, and/or other fault detection timeseries.

Referring again to FIG. 6, analytics service 524 is shown to include an analytics web service 618, fault detection rules 620 and reasons 622, a rules editor 624, and an analytics storage interface 626. Analytics web service 618 is configured to interact with web-based applications to send and/or receive fault detection rules 620 and reasons 622 and results of data analytics. In some embodiments, analytics web service 618 receives fault detection rules 620 and reasons 622 from a web-based rules editor 624. For example, if rules editor 624 is a web-based application, analytics web service 618 can receive rules 620 and reasons 622 from rules editor 624. In some embodiments, analytics web service 618 provides results of the analytics to web-based applications. For example, if one or more of applications 530 are web-based applications, analytics web service 618 can provide fault detection timeseries to the web-based applications.

Analytics storage interface 626 is configured to interact with local storage 514 and/or hosted storage 516. For example, analytics storage interface 626 can retrieve rules 620 from local rules database 632 within local storage 514 or from hosted rules database 636 within hosted storage 516. Similarly, analytics storage interface 626 can retrieve reasons 622 from local reasons database 634 within local storage 514 or from hosted reasons database 642 within hosted storage 516. Analytics storage interface 626 can also store rules 620 and reasons 622 within local storage 514 and/or hosted storage 516.

Entity Graph

Referring now to FIG. 10A, an entity graph 1000 is shown, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, entity graph 1000 is generated or used by data collector 512, as described with reference to FIG. 5. Entity graph 1000 describes how a building is organized and how the different systems and spaces within the building relate to each other. For example, entity graph 1000 is shown to include an organization 1002, a space 1004, a system 1006, a point 1008, and a timeseries 1009. The arrows interconnecting organization 1002, space 1004, system 1006, point 1008, and timeseries 1009 identify the relationships between such entities. In some embodiments, the relationships are stored as attributes of the entity described by the attribute.

Organization 1002 is shown to include a contains descendants attribute 1010, a parent ancestors attribute 1012, a contains attribute 1014, a located in attribute 1016, an occupied by ancestors attribute 1018, and an occupies by attribute 1022. The contains descendants attribute 1010 identifies any descendant entities contained within organization 1002. The parent ancestors attribute 1012 identifies any parent entities to organization 1002. The contains attribute 1014 identifies any other organizations contained within organization 1002. The asterisk alongside the contains attribute 1014 indicates that organization 1002 can contain any number of other organizations. The located in attribute 1016 identifies another organization within which organization 1002 is located. The number 1 alongside the located in attribute 1016 indicates that organization 1002 can be located in exactly one other organization. The occupies attribute 1022 identifies any spaces occupied by organization 1002. The asterisk alongside the occupies attribute 1022 indicates that organization 1002 can occupy any number of spaces.

Space 1004 is shown to include an occupied by attribute 1020, an occupied by ancestors attribute 1018, a contains space descendants attribute 1024, a located in ancestors attribute 1026, a contains spaces attribute 1028, a located in attribute 1030, a served by systems attribute 1038, and a served by system descendants attribute 1034. The occupied by attribute 1020 identifies an organization occupied by space 1004. The number 1 alongside the occupied by attribute 1020 indicates that space 1004 can be occupied by exactly one organization. The occupied by ancestors attribute 1018 identifies one or more ancestors to organization 1002 that are occupied by space 1004. The asterisk alongside the occupied by ancestors attribute 1018 indicates that space 1004 can be occupied by any number of ancestors.

The contains space descendants attribute 1024 identifies any descendants to space 1004 that are contained within space 1004. The located in ancestors attribute 1026 identifies any ancestors to space 1004 within which space 1004 is located. The contains spaces attribute 1028 identifies any other spaces contained within space 1004. The asterisk alongside the contains spaces attribute 1028 indicates that space 1004 can contain any number of other spaces. The located in attribute 1030 identifies another space within which space 1004 is located. The number 1 alongside the located in attribute 1030 indicates that space 1004 can be located in exactly one other space. The served by systems attribute 1038 identifies any systems that serve space 1004. The asterisk alongside the served by systems attribute 1038 indicates that space 1004 can be served by any number of systems. The served by system descendants attribute 1034 identifies any descendent systems that serve space 1004. The asterisk alongside the served by descendant systems attribute 1034 indicates that space 1004 can be served by any number of descendant systems.

System 1006 is shown to include a serves spaces attribute 1036, a serves space ancestors attribute 1032, a subsystem descendants attribute 1040, a part of ancestors attribute 1042, a subsystems attribute 1044, a part of attribute 1046, and a points attribute 1050. The serves spaces attribute 1036 identifies any spaces that are served by system 1006. The asterisk alongside the serves spaces attribute 1036 indicates that system 1006 can serve any number of spaces. The serves space ancestors attribute 1032 identifies any ancestors to space 1004 that are served by system 1006. The asterisk alongside the serves ancestor spaces attribute 1032 indicates that system 1006 can serve any number of ancestor spaces.

The subsystem descendants attribute 1040 identifies any subsystem descendants of other systems contained within system 1006. The part of ancestors attribute 1042 identifies any ancestors to system 1006 that system 1006 is part of. The subsystems attribute 1044 identifies any subsystems contained within system 1006. The asterisk alongside the subsystems attribute 1044 indicates that system 1006 can contain any number of subsystems. The part of attribute 1046 identifies any other systems that system 1006 is part of. The number 1 alongside the part of attribute 1046 indicates that system 1006 can be part of exactly one other system. The points attribute 1050 identifies any data points that are associated with system 1006. The asterisk alongside the points attribute 1050 indicates that any number of data points can be associated with system 1006.

Point 1008 is shown to include a used by system attribute 1048. The asterisk alongside the used by system attribute 1048 indicates that point 1008 can be used by any number of systems. Point 1008 is also shown to include a used by timeseries attribute 1054. The asterisk alongside the used by timeseries attribute 1054 indicates that point 1008 can be used by any number of timeseries (e.g., raw data timeseries virtual point timeseries, data rollup timeseries, etc.). For example, multiple virtual point timeseries can be based on the same actual data point 1008. In some embodiments, the used by timeseries attribute 1054 is treated as a list of timeseries that subscribe to changes in value of data point 1008. When the value of point 1008 changes, the timeseries listed in the used by timeseries attribute 1054 can be identified and automatically updated to reflect the changed value of point 1008.

Timeseries 1009 is shown to include a uses point attribute 1052. The asterisk alongside the uses point attribute 1052 indicates that timeseries 1009 can use any number of actual data points. For example, a virtual point timeseries can be based on multiple actual data points. In some embodiments, the uses point attribute 1052 is treated as a list of points to monitor for changes in value. When any of the points identified by the uses point attribute 1052 are updated, timeseries 1009 can be automatically updated to reflect the changed value of the points used by timeseries 1009.

Timeseries 1009 is also shown to include a used by timeseries attribute 1056 and a uses timeseries attribute 1058. The asterisks alongside the used by timeseries attribute 1056 and the uses timeseries attribute 1058 indicate that timeseries 1009 can be used by any number of other timeseries and can use any number of other timeseries. For example, both a data rollup timeseries and a virtual point timeseries can be based on the same raw data timeseries. As another example, a single virtual point timeseries can be based on multiple other timeseries (e.g., multiple raw data timeseries). In some embodiments, the used by timeseries attribute 1056 is treated as a list of timeseries that subscribe to updates in timeseries 1009. When timeseries 1009 is updated, the timeseries listed in the used by timeseries attribute 1056 can be identified and automatically updated to reflect the change to timeseries 1009. Similarly, the uses timeseries attribute 1058 can be treated as a list of timeseries to monitor for updates. When any of the timeseries identified by the uses timeseries attribute 1058 are updated, timeseries 1009 can be automatically updated to reflect the updates to the other timeseries upon which timeseries 1009 is based.

Referring now to FIG. 10B, an example of an entity graph 1060 for a particular building management system is shown, according to some embodiments. Entity graph 1060 is shown to include an organization 1061 (“ACME Corp”). Organization 1061 be a collection of people, a legal entity, a business, an agency, or other type of organization. Organization 1061 occupies space 1063 (“Milwaukee Campus”), as indicated by the occupies attribute 1064. Space 1063 is occupied by organization 1061, as indicated by the occupied by attribute 1062.

In some embodiments, space 1063 is a top level space in a hierarchy of spaces. For example, space 1063 can represent an entire campus (i.e., a collection of buildings). Space 1063 can contain various subspaces (e.g., individual buildings) such as space 1065 (“Building 1”) and space 1073 (“Building 2”), as indicated by the contains attributes 1068 and 1080. Spaces 1065 and 1080 are located in space 1063, as indicated by the located in attribute 1066. Each of spaces 1065 and 1073 can contain lower level subspaces such as individual floors, zones, or rooms within each building. However, such subspaces are omitted from entity graph 1060 for simplicity.

Space 1065 is served by system 1067 (“ElecMainMeter1”) as indicated by the served by attribute 1072. System 1067 can be any system that serves space 1065 (e.g., a HVAC system, a lighting system, an electrical system, a security system, etc.). The serves attribute 1070 indicates that system 1067 serves space 1065. In entity graph 1060, system 1067 is shown as an electrical system having a subsystem 1069 (“LightingSubMeter1”) and a subsystem 1071 (“PlugLoadSubMeter2”) as indicated by the subsystem attributes 1076 and 1078. Subsystems 1069 and 1071 are part of system 1067, as indicated by the part of attribute 1074.

Space 1073 is served by system 1075 (“ElecMainMeter2”) as indicated by the served by attribute 1084. System 1075 can be any system that serves space 1073 (e.g., a HVAC system, a lighting system, an electrical system, a security system, etc.). The serves attribute 1082 indicates that system 1075 serves space 1073. In entity graph 1060, system 1075 is shown as an electrical system having a subsystem 1077 (“LightingSubMeter3”) as indicated by the subsystem attribute 1088. Subsystem 1077 is part of system 1075, as indicated by the part of attribute 1086.

In addition to the attributes shown in FIG. 10B, entity graph 1060 can include “ancestors” and “descendants” attributes on each entity in the hierarchy. The ancestors attribute can identify (e.g., in a flat list) all of the entities that are ancestors to a given entity. For example, the ancestors attribute for space 1065 may identify both space 1063 and organization 1061 as ancestors. Similarly, the descendants attribute can identify all (e.g., in a flat list) of the entities that are descendants of a given entity. For example, the descendants attribute for space 1065 may identify system 1067, subsystem 1069, and subsystem 1071 as descendants. This provides each entity with a complete listing of its ancestors and descendants, regardless of how many levels are included in the hierarchical tree. This is a form of transitive closure.

In some embodiments, the transitive closure provided by the descendants and ancestors attributes allows entity graph 1060 to facilitate simple queries without having to search multiple levels of the hierarchical tree. For example, the following query can be used to find all meters under the Milwaukee Campus space 1063:

-   -   /Systems?$filter=(systemType eq Jci.Be.Data.SystemType‘Meter’)         and ancestorSpaces/any(a:a/name eq ‘Milwaukee Campus’)         and can be answered using only the descendants attribute of the         Milwaukee Campus space 1063. For example, the descendants         attribute of space 1063 can identify all meters that are         hierarchically below space 1063. The descendants attribute can         be organized as a flat list and stored as an attribute of space         1063. This allows the query to be served by searching only the         descendants attribute of space 1063 without requiring other         levels or entities of the hierarchy to be searched.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an object relationship diagram 1100 is shown, according to some embodiments. Relationship diagram 1100 is shown to include an entity template 1102, a point 1104, a timeseries 1106, and a sample 1108. In some embodiments, entity template 1102, point 1104, timeseries 1106, and sample 1108 are stored as data objects within memory 510, local storage 514, and/or hosted storage 516. Relationship diagram 1100 illustrates the relationships between entity template 1102, point 1104, and timeseries 1106.

Entity template 1102 can include various attributes such as an ID attribute, a name attribute, a properties attribute, and a relationships attribute. The ID attribute can be provided as a text string and identifies a unique ID for entity template 1102. The name attribute can also be provided as a text string and identifies the name of entity template 1102. The properties attribute can be provided as a vector and identifies one or more properties of entity template 1102. The relationships attribute can also be provided as a vector and identifies one or more relationships of entity template 1102.

Point 1104 can include various attributes such as an ID attribute, an entity template ID attribute, a timeseries attribute, and a units ID attribute. The ID attribute can be provided as a text string and identifies a unique ID for point 1104. The entity template ID attribute can also be provided as a text string and identifies the entity template 1102 associated with point 1104 (e.g., by listing the ID attribute of entity template 1102). Any number of points 1104 can be associated with entity template 1102. However, in some embodiments, each point 11104 is associated with a single entity template 1102. The timeseries attribute can be provided as a text string and identifies any timeseries associated with point 1104 (e.g., by listing the ID string of any timeseries 1106 associated with point 1104). The units ID attribute can also be provided as a text string and identifies the units of the variable quantified by point 1104.

Timeseries 1106 can include various attributes such as an ID attribute, a samples attribute, a transformation type attribute, and a units ID attribute. The ID attribute can be provided as a text string and identifies a unique ID for timeseries 1106. The unique ID of timeseries 1106 can be listed in the timeseries attribute of point 1104 to associate timeseries 1106 with point 1104. Any number of timeseries 1106 can be associated with point 1104. Each timeseries 1106 is associated with a single point 1104. The samples attribute can be provided as a vector and identifies one or more samples associated with timeseries 1106. The transformation type attribute identifies the type of transformation used to generate timeseries 1106 (e.g., average hourly, average daily, average monthly, etc.). The units ID attribute can also be provided as a text string and identifies the units of the variable quantified by timeseries 1106.

Sample 1108 can include a timestamp attribute and a value attribute. The timestamp attribute can be provided in local time and can include an offset relative to universal time. The value attribute can include a data value of sample 1108. In some instances, the value attribute is a numerical value (e.g., for measured variables). In other instances, the value attribute can be a text string such as “Fault” if sample 1108 is part of a fault detection timeseries.

Dashboard Layouts

Referring now to FIG. 12, a block diagram illustrating the operation of dashboard layout generator 518 is shown, according to some embodiments. Dashboard layout generator 518 is shown receiving points 1202, raw timeseries data 1204, and optimized timeseries data 1206. Points 1202 can include actual data points (e.g., measured data points), virtual data points (e.g., calculated data points) or other types of data points for which sample data is received at BMS 500 or calculated by BMS 500. Points 1202 can include instances of point 1104, as described with reference to FIG. 11. For example, each of points 1202 can include a point ID, an entity template ID, an indication of one or more timeseries associated with the point, and a units ID. Raw timeseries data 1204 can include the raw timeseries data collected or generated by data collector 512. Optimized timeseries data 1206 can include data rollup timeseries, cleansed timeseries, virtual point timeseries, weather point timeseries, fault detection timeseries, and/or other types of timeseries data which can be generated or processed by job manager 604.

Dashboard layout generator 518 is shown generating a dashboard layout description 1208. In some embodiments, dashboard layout description 1208 is a framework agnostic layout description which can be used to render a user interface (i.e., a dashboard layout) by a variety of different rendering engines (e.g., a web browser, a PDF engine, etc.) and/or frameworks. Dashboard layout description 1208 is not itself a user interface, but rather a schema which can be used by applications 530 and other frameworks to generate a user interface. Many different frameworks and applications 530 can read and use dashboard layout description 1208 to generate a user interface according to the theming and sizing of the framework. In some embodiments, dashboard layout description 1208 describes the dashboard layout using a grid of rows and columns.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a grid 1300 illustrating dashboard layout description 1208 is shown. Grid 1300 is shown as a m×n grid including m rows and n columns. The intersections of the rows and columns define particular locations in grid 1300 at which widgets can be located. For example, grid 1300 is shown to include a text widget 1302 at the intersection of the first row and the second column. Grid 1300 also includes a graph widget 1304 at the intersection of the second row and the second column. In some embodiments, the locations of widgets 1302 and 1304 are defined by the row and column indices of grid 1300. For example, dashboard layout description 1208 can define the location of text widget 1302 by specifying that text widget 1302 is located at the intersection of the first row and the second column of grid 1300. Similarly, dashboard layout description 1208 can define the location of graph widget 1304 by specifying that graph widget 1304 is located at the intersection of the second row and the second column of grid 1300.

In some embodiments, dashboard layout description 1208 defines various properties for each widget. For example, widgets 1302 and 1304 can have a widget type property defining the type of the widget (e.g., text, graph, image, etc.). In some embodiments, widget 1302 has a text property defining the text displayed by widget 1302. Widget 1304 can include graph properties that define various attributes of the graph (e.g., graph title, x-axis title, y-axis title, etc.). In some embodiments, graph widget 1304 includes a property that defines one or more timeseries of data displayed in widget 1304. The timeseries can be different timeseries of the same data point (e.g., a raw data timeseries, an average hourly timeseries, an average daily timeseries, etc.) or timeseries of different data points. In some embodiments, graph widget 1304 includes properties that defines the widget name and a set of APIs that drive widget 1304 (e.g., service URLs or database URLs).

In some embodiments, dashboard layout description 1208 includes a top level dashboard element containing properties that apply to the entire dashboard layout. Such properties can include, for example, dashboard name, whether the widgets are collapsible, whether the dashboard is editable, and the grid layout. The grid layout can be defined as an array of objects (e.g., widgets), each of which is an array of properties. The dashboard layout can be static, dynamic, or user specific. Static layouts can be used when the layout does not change. Dynamic layouts can be used to add more features to an existing dashboard. User specified layouts can be used to allow the dashboard to be adjusted by the user (e.g., by adding or removing widgets).

Dashboard layout description 1208 can be used to drive various services. In some embodiments, dashboard layout description 1208 enables providing a user interface as a service. In this scenario, dashboard layout generator 518 can provide a framework with predefined widgets. The framework can read dashboard layout description 1208 and render the user interface. Providing the user interface as a service allows new widgets to be added to the predefined widgets. In other embodiments, dashboard layout description 1208 enables providing data visualization as a service.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-15, an example of a dashboard layout description 1400 and a dashboard layout 1500 that can be generated from dashboard layout description 1400 are shown, according to some embodiments. Referring particularly to FIG. 14, dashboard layout description 1400 is shown to include several properties 1402 that apply to the entire dashboard layout 1500. Properties 1402 are shown to include a name of dashboard layout 1500 and properties defining whether dashboard layout 1500 is collapsible, maximizable, and/or editable.

In some embodiments, dashboard layout description 1400 is described in JSON format. For example, dashboard layout description 1400 is shown to include a rows object 1404 and a columns object 1406 contained within rows object 1404. Columns object 1406 contains two elements. Accordingly, dashboard layout description 1400 defines a layout that includes a single row and two columns within the row. Each of the columns includes a widget. For example, the first element of columns object 1406 includes a first widget object 1408, whereas the second element of columns object 1406 includes a second widget object 1410.

Widget object 1408 includes several properties 1412 defining various attributes of widget object 1408. For example, widget object 1408 is shown to include properties defining a widget name (i.e., MEMS Meter), a widget type (i.e., spline) and a widget configuration. The spline type indicates that widget object 1408 defines a line graph. The widget configuration property includes several sub-properties 1414 defining attributes of the line graph. Sub-properties 1414 are shown to include a title, an x-axis label (i.e., datetime), a y-axis label (i.e., KW), a token API defining an API that drives widget object 1408, and a sample API defining another API that drives widget object 1408. Sub-properties 1414 also include a points property defining several timeseries that can be displayed in widget object 1408.

Similarly, widget object 1410 includes several properties 1416 defining various attributes of widget object 1410. For example, widget object 1410 is shown to include properties defining a widget name (i.e., MEMS Meter), a widget type (i.e., column) and a widget configuration. The column type indicates that widget object 1410 defines a bar graph. The widget configuration property includes several sub-properties 1418 defining attributes of the bar graph. Sub-properties 1418 are shown to include a title, an x-axis label (i.e., datetime), a y-axis label (i.e., KWH), a token API defining an API that drives widget object 1410, and a sample API defining another API that drives widget object 1410. Sub-properties 1418 also include a points property defining several timeseries that can be displayed in widget object 1410.

Referring now to FIG. 15, dashboard layout 1500 is shown to include a title 1502, a first widget 1504, and a second widget 1506. The text of title 1502 is defined by properties 1402, whereas first widget 1504 is defined by widget object 1408, and second widget 1506 is defined by widget object 1410. Dashboard layout 1500 includes a single row and two columns within the row. The first column includes first widget 1504, whereas the second column includes second widget 1506. Widget 1504 is shown to include the title 1508 “MEMS Meter” (defined by properties 1412) and a dropdown selector 1512 which can be used to select any of the timeseries defined by sub-properties 1414. Similarly, widget 1506 is shown to include the title 1510 “MEMS Meter” (defined by properties 1416) and a dropdown selector 1514 which can be used to select any of the timeseries defined by sub-properties 1418.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-17, another example of a dashboard layout description 1600 and a dashboard layout 1700 that can be generated from dashboard layout description 1600 are shown, according to some embodiments. Referring particularly to FIG. 16, dashboard layout description 1600 is shown to include several properties 1602 that apply to the entire dashboard layout 1700. Properties 1602 are shown to include a name of dashboard layout 1700 and properties defining whether dashboard layout 1700 is collapsible, maximizable, and/or editable.

In some embodiments, dashboard layout description 1600 is described in JSON format. For example, dashboard layout description 1600 is shown to include a rows object 1604. Rows object 1604 has two data elements, each defining a different row of dashboard layout 1700. The first element of rows object 1604 contains a first a columns object 1606, whereas the second element of rows object 1604 contains a second columns object 1607. Columns object 1606 has a single element which includes a first widget object 1608. However, columns object 1607 has two elements, each of which includes a widget object (i.e., widget objects 1610 and 1620). Accordingly, dashboard layout description 1600 defines a layout that includes a first row with one column and a second row with two columns. The first row contains widget object 1608. The second row contains two widget objects 1610 and 1620 in adjacent columns.

Widget object 1608 includes several properties 1612 defining various attributes of widget object 1608. For example, widget object 1608 is shown to include properties defining a widget name (i.e., BTU Meter), a widget type (i.e., spline) and a widget configuration. The spline type indicates that widget object 1608 defines a line graph. The widget configuration property includes several sub-properties 1614 defining attributes of the line graph. Sub-properties 1614 are shown to include a title, an x-axis label, a y-axis label, a token API defining an API that drives widget object 1608, and a sample API defining another API that drives widget object 1608. Sub-properties 1614 also include a points property defining several timeseries that can be displayed in widget object 1608.

Similarly, widget object 1610 includes several properties 1616 defining various attributes of widget object 1610. For example, widget object 1610 is shown to include properties defining a widget name (i.e., Meter 1), a widget type (i.e., spline) and a widget configuration. The spline type indicates that widget object 1610 defines a line graph. The widget configuration property includes several sub-properties 1618 defining attributes of the line graph. Sub-properties 1618 are shown to include a title, an x-axis label, a y-axis label, a token API defining an API that drives widget object 1610, and a sample API defining another API that drives widget object 1610. Sub-properties 1618 also include a points property defining several timeseries that can be displayed in widget object 1610.

Widget object 1620 includes several properties 1622 defining various attributes of widget object 1620. For example, widget object 1620 is shown to include properties defining a widget name (i.e., Meter 1), a widget type (i.e., spline) and a widget configuration. The spline type indicates that widget object 1620 defines a line graph. The widget configuration property includes several sub-properties 1624 defining attributes of the line graph. Sub-properties 1624 are shown to include a title, an x-axis label, a y-axis label, a token API defining an API that drives widget object 1620, and a sample API defining another API that drives widget object 1620. Sub-properties 1624 also include a points property defining several timeseries that can be displayed in widget object 1620.

Referring now to FIG. 17, dashboard layout 1700 is shown to include a title 1702, a first widget 1704, a second widget 1706, and a third widget 1707. The text of title 1702 is defined by properties 1602. The content of first widget 1704 is defined by widget object 1608; the content of second widget 1706 is defined by widget object 1610; and the content of third widget 1707 is defined by widget object 1620. Dashboard layout 1700 includes two rows. The first row includes a single column, whereas the second row includes two columns. The first row includes first widget 1704, whereas the second row includes second widget 1706 in the first column and third widget 1707 in the second column.

Widget 1704 is shown to include the title 1708 “BTU Meter” (defined by properties 1612) and a dropdown selector 1712 which can be used to select any of the timeseries defined by sub-properties 1614. Similarly, widget 1706 is shown to include the title 1710 “Meter 1” (defined by properties 1616) and a dropdown selector 1714 which can be used to select any of the timeseries defined by sub-properties 1618. Widget 1707 is shown to include the title 1711 “Meter 1” (defined by properties 1622) and a dropdown selector 1715 which can be used to select any of the timeseries defined by sub-properties 1624.

Configuration of Exemplary Embodiments

The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps can be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions can be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

Although the figures show a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps can be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A building management system comprising: building equipment configured to provide raw data samples of a data point; a data collector configured to collect the raw data samples from the building equipment and generate a raw data timeseries comprising a plurality of the raw data samples; a timeseries service configured to generate one or more optimized data timeseries from the raw data timeseries; a timeseries database configured to store a plurality of timeseries associated with the data point, the plurality of timeseries comprising the raw data timeseries and the one or more optimized data timeseries; and a dashboard layout generator configured to identify each of the timeseries associated with the data point and to generate a framework-agnostic dashboard layout description capable of being rendered by multiple different rendering frameworks to visualize each of the identified timeseries; wherein the timeseries service comprises a virtual point calculator configured to: create a virtual data point representing a non-measured variable; calculate data values for a plurality of samples of the virtual data point as a function of the raw data samples; generate a virtual point timeseries comprising the plurality of samples of the virtual data point; and store the virtual point timeseries in the timeseries database as one of the optimized data timeseries.
 2. The building management system of claim 1, wherein the timeseries service comprises a sample aggregator configured to: automatically generate a data rollup timeseries comprising a plurality of aggregated data samples by aggregating the raw data samples as the raw data samples are collected from the building equipment; and store the data rollup timeseries in the timeseries database as one of the optimized data timeseries.
 3. The building management system of claim 1, wherein the timeseries service comprises a scalable rules engine configured to: detect faults by applying fault detection rules to at least one of the raw data timeseries and the optimized data timeseries; generate a fault detection timeseries comprising a plurality of fault detection data samples, each of the fault detection data samples having a timestamp and a data value indicating whether a fault is detected at the timestamp; and store the fault detection timeseries in the timeseries database as one of the optimized data timeseries.
 4. The building management system of claim 1, wherein the dashboard layout generator is configured to generate the framework-agnostic dashboard layout description by: defining a dashboard layout as a grid comprising multiple intersecting rows and columns; identifying an intersection of the multiple rows and columns as a widget location; and generating widget properties that define a widget at the identified widget location, the widget properties identifying one or more of the plurality of timeseries.
 5. The building management system of claim 1, wherein the dashboard layout generator is configured to generate the framework-agnostic dashboard layout description by: defining a dashboard layout as an array of objects comprising one or more row objects and one or more column objects; specifying a location of a widget object within the array; and storing widget properties within the widget object, the widget properties identifying one or more of the plurality of timeseries.
 6. The building management system of claim 5, wherein: the one or more column objects are nested within the one or more row objects; and each of the column objects comprises a widget object nested within the column object.
 7. The building management system of claim 5, wherein: the one or more row objects are nested within the one or more column objects; and each of the row objects comprises a widget object nested within the row object.
 8. The building management system of claim 5, wherein the widget properties identify an application program interface that drives the widget object.
 9. The building management system of claim 5, wherein the widget properties identify a location of each of the plurality of timeseries in the timeseries database.
 10. The building management system of claim 1, wherein the dashboard layout description comprises a plurality of top level properties that apply to an entirety of a dashboard layout, the top level properties comprising at least one of: a name of the dashboard layout; an indication of whether the dashboard layout is collapsible; an indication of whether the dashboard layout is maximizable; and an indication of whether the dashboard layout is editable.
 11. A building management system comprising: a timeseries database configured to store multiple timeseries associated with a data point, each of the timeseries comprising a plurality of data samples; and a dashboard layout generator configured to access the timeseries database to identify each of the timeseries associated with the data point and to generate a framework-agnostic dashboard layout description capable of being rendered by multiple different rendering frameworks to visualize each of the identified timeseries; wherein the multiple timeseries stored in the timeseries database comprise a raw data timeseries comprising a plurality of raw data samples and one or more optimized data timeseries generated by processing the raw data timeseries; further comprising a virtual point calculator configured to: create a virtual data point representing a non-measured variable; calculate data values for a plurality of samples of the virtual data point as a function of the raw data samples; generate a virtual point timeseries comprising the plurality of samples of the virtual data point; and store the virtual point timeseries in the timeseries database as one of the optimized data timeseries.
 12. The building management system of claim 11, further comprising a sample aggregator configured to: automatically generate a data rollup timeseries comprising a plurality of aggregated data samples by aggregating the raw data samples as the raw data samples are collected; and store the data rollup timeseries in the timeseries database as one of the optimized data timeseries.
 13. The building management system of claim 11, further comprising a scalable rules engine configured to: detect faults by applying fault detection rules to at least one of the raw data timeseries and the optimized data timeseries; generate a fault detection timeseries comprising a plurality of fault detection data samples, each of the fault detection data samples having a timestamp and a data value indicating whether a fault is detected at the timestamp; and store the fault detection timeseries in the timeseries database as one of the optimized data timeseries.
 14. The building management system of claim 11, wherein the dashboard layout generator is configured to generate the framework-agnostic dashboard layout description by: defining a dashboard layout as an array of objects comprising one or more row objects and one or more column objects; specifying a location of a widget object within the array; and storing widget properties within the widget object, the widget properties identifying one or more of the multiple timeseries.
 15. The building management system of claim 14, wherein: the one or more column objects are nested within the one or more row objects; and each of the column objects comprises a widget object nested within the column object.
 16. The building management system of claim 14, wherein: the one or more row objects are nested within the one or more column objects; and each of the row objects comprises a widget object nested within the row object.
 17. The building management system of claim 14, wherein the widget properties identify at least one of an application program interface that drives the widget object and a location of each of the multiple timeseries in the timeseries database. 